Bonames Army Airfield, 1962 (Source: Manfred Faber, Germany) A De Havilland U-6A BEAVER. The BEAVER was designated as L-20A until 1962 when they were redesignated as U-6A. With over 600 examples purchased by the US Army starting in 1952, the U-6A formed the backbone of Army fixed-wing operations during the 1955-1965 period.