About the author.

Number of visitors to this website :

A long time enthusiast of the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver bushplane, aviation artist and researcher Neil Aird decided to do something about all the information he had amassed on this aircraft. This Web site is the start of this "mission". . it has surpassed his wildest dreams, and continues to "grow" by leaps and bounds. In December 2011, he anticipates the one millionth visitor to check out the website.

Why does he do this ??  Check Kingston Whig Standard article..it might just give some clues ;-)

Neil, born in Dumbarton, Scotland in 1945. Since 1968, a resident of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Married to Danielle in 1970, they have three children, Katie, Robin and Anthony, and, at present, five grandchildren, Chloe, Claudia, Camille, Callum and Laurel.

They retired from, and sold their business Metalworks - Contemporary Jewellery in 2004. Danielle and Neil persue their own interests with passion. Danielle with her writing and philanthropic work for the destitute of Kolkatta, India. She runs a registered charity Calcutta Rescue Canada and works tirelessly for that cause. What a gal she is!

In recent years Neil has given lectures on "The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver" to the Canadian Avaition Historical Society at their Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston and Montréal chapters. Another venue was at the Royal Military College at Kingston. Spreading "the gospel" so to speak! Not too long ago, in Gisborne, New Zealand! Other aspects of Aviation, particularily tracking aircraft in his "airspace", keep him very busy.

As time permits, information will be added to the master index and eventually it will provide a source of information on every Beaver built. This information is of most use to aviation enthusiasts researching the previous identities of a particular aircraft. First ones to be entered are aircraft that are still extant. Beaver owners also might be interested in the brief history of their treasured airframe! More detailed information is available on request from Neil.

Since August 2001 until he got "too busy" Neil  was the DHC-2 and DHC-3  editor for Aviation Databases. This will eventually have a very comprehensive listing of these types in their huge, accurate database. Check it out . He hopes to return to this task at some point! Meanwhile Rick Timms fills in and keeps Neil up to date with Canadian and US changes.

He also helped Dan Willink in the compilation of a definitive production list that commenced with the MAY 2002 edition of  AMCAR.  March 2004 saw the final chapter...if there is ever a final chapter!!

This web site is dedicated to my patient and almost tolerant family.

"Beaver Hunter" in Winter !   Top photo: Danielle Aird © September 2003 - And Summer! Lower photo: Antony Richardson © 03 July 2011

A patient Danielle at Whitewater Lake, Ontario during our 12,000km round-trip outwest in 2003 to visit our son Robin and daughter-in-law Tracy.

Photo: "Shooting the hunter" Danielle Aird © 11 September 2003 (There are times I'm sure Danie has wanted to!!)