The Beaver was designed as a utility aircraft capable of carrying a significant load (up to one tonne) into short, unprepared airstrips. This suited the British Army's requirements especially in jungle operations. The AAC Historic Aircraft Flight operates one Beaver Mk1.

XP820 was issued to the Army Air Corps (AAC) in October 1961 and was immediately shipped to the Far East for service with 11 Flight, 656 Light Aircraft Squadron AAC. She was transferred to 30 Flight Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) at Seletar, Singapore, where she remained until June 1967. XP820 was then shipped back to the UK and joined 132 Flight Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) at Old Sarum, Wiltshire.

The unit became 132 Aviation Flight in January 1970 and moved to Netheravon, Wiltshire in September 1970. 132 Aviation Flight disbanded in January 1974 and XP820 moved across to 6 Flight AAC where she was used in the VIP transport role. She finished her active service at the AAC Centre, Middle Wallop before being transferred for the last time to the Army Historic Aircraft Flight in May 1989. XP820 was handed over to the Historic Aircraft Flight Trust on 1 February 2015 and registered with the civilian register as G-CICP.