De Havilland Canada's Twin Otter is another success story for the company. Developed at the height of Caribou sales, the DHC-6 carried the company through its difficult period.
One reason the Twin Otter was so successful is because it bridged two marketing periods in aviation history; US military business and commuter airline business.
Building on the already successful Otter, de Havilland increased its dimensions, payload and fuel capacity. They also responded to comments made in 1963 by pilots flying Otters in Vietnam; they wanted two engines for safety and a tricycle undercarriage to combat crosswinds.
It also carried full STOL capability on wheels, skis or floats. The U.S. Army wanted it right away.
But the U.S. no longer required STOL, so other companies were able to offer competitive non-STOL planes at cheaper prices; it was a sign of the times - the days of large military orders were over.
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