Technical data:

·       Designed/first flight: 1935

·       Exhibited aircraft produced: 1944

·       Serial number: 44-70546 C/N: 811

·       Production: Noorduyn Aircraft Ltd., Canada

·       Designer: Robert L. Noorduyn

·       Number produced: 903

·       Crew/passengers: 1 (2) / 10 (9)

·       Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 600 bhp

·       Top speed: 261 km/h

·       Max. altitude: 3,355 m

·       Wingspan: 15.70 m

·       Length: 9.86 m

·       Height: 3.07 m

·       Range: 1,500 km

·       Max. take-off weight: 3,357 kg

Norseman - our flying veteran

The Norwegian Aviation museum is proud to be the owners of the only flying Norseman in Europe. The aircraft is a huge attraction on Airshows around the world, and is a historical treasure.

The Norseman Noorduyn R-AF has a long history in service in Norway and played a great role in the rebuilding after the second world war. Just a few weeks after the liberation of Norway, eight Norseman landed at Fornebu to fill the need for a light transportation aircraft. The aircraft is owned by the museum and is operated by “The Norwegian Spitfire Foundation”.

Our Norseman is the only operational one left of its kind in Europe, and it is therefore a show stopper at any air show we attend.

The Norseman has a long history in Norway, through its service in the Air Force and the restoration of Norway, ever since the eight Norwegian Noorduyn Norseman aircraft landed at Fornebu in 1945, mere weeks after the liberation. The need for restoration was considerable after the war, and the Norsemen met the demand for a light freighter plane. This type of aircraft was the precursor to the Single Otter, and was in service in the Air Force for approx. 15 years. It proved reliable, robust and versatile. In 1953, the Air Force received a further 15 aircraft of this type through the Canadian defence assistance program. In 1946–1959, the R-AF was part of the 330 squadron at Sola, Skattøra and Bodø, before it was lent to Thor Solberg Aviation and later sold to a consortium of Solbergfly in Tønsberg and Widerøe Flyselskap. In 1963, it was sold to Solbergfly AB in Sweden.

The aircraft was developed in response to Canada needing a light workhorse capable of servicing the Canadian wilderness, and it was designed by Bob Noorduyn, a Dutchman, in collaboration with the legendary Anthony Fokker. A total of 903 Norseman aircraft were built between 19335 and 1959, of which around 20 are still in service today, most of them in the United States and Canada.