The Beechcraft Model 18 (or “Twin Beech”, as it is also known) is a 6- to 11-seat, twin-engined, low-wing, tailwheel light aircraft manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. Continuously produced from 1937 to November 1969 (over 32 years, a world record at the time), over 9,000 were built, making it one of the world’s most widely used light aircraft. Sold worldwide as a civilian executive, utility, cargo aircraft, and passenger airliner on tailwheels, nosewheels, skis, or floats, it was also used as a military aircraft.
| Role | Trainer, transport aircraft and utility aircraft |
|---|---|
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Beech Aircraft Corporation |
| First flight | January 15, 1937 |
| Introduction | 1937 |
| Primary users | United States Army Air Forces United States Navy Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Produced | 1937–1970 |
| Number built | 9,000+ |
Specifications (UC-45 Expeditor)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 pilots
- Capacity: 6 passengers
- Length: 34 ft 3 in (10.44 m)
- Wingspan: 47 ft 8 in (14.53 m)
- Height: 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m)
- Wing area: 349 sq ft (32.4 m2)
- Empty weight: 5,420 lb (2,458 kg)
- Gross weight: 7,500 lb (3,402 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 “Wasp Junior” radial engines, 450 hp (340 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 225 mph (362 km/h, 196 kn)
- Range: 1,200 mi (1,900 km, 1,000 nmi) at 160 mph (260 km/h; 140 kn) and 5,000 ft (1,500 m)
- Service ceiling: 26,000 ft (7,900 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,850 ft/min (9.4 m/s)
Photos Rob Vogelaar and Marcel van Leeuwen
