This 1952 Beech C-45, N6671, "Canadian Queen," is operated by the Ozark Military Museum, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. Photo by Max Haynes - MaxAir2Air.com

History: The Beechcraft Model 18 design was begun in 1935, when Walter Beech determined to build a low-wing monoplane to compete with the biplanes, like the Curtis Condor, which were still common to commercial aviation. After an unspectacular introduction in 1937, the design was steadily improved, particularly with respect to engine power and economy of operation until 1939 when, with the introduction of 330-hp Jacobs L-6 engines, the plane became an attractive package. 30 were sold in 1940, at which point the war interrupted its civilian life while giving a terrific boost to Beech's future. The first of an eventual run of more than 4000 D-18s were then contracted by the government.

First ordered for use as a staff transport as the C-45, the plane was modified throughout its production life with changes like increased seating capacity and longer nose (C-45F). All C-45Fs were subsumed under the new designation, UC-45, in 1943. During its military production run, more than 1100 C-45s were furnished under Lend-Lease to the Royal Air Force (RAF), where it was known as the "Expediter II," and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as the "Expediter III."

In 1941, a navigator training version was put in service as the AT-7 "Navigator," which was followed in production by six AT-7As, which were modified with floats and given a large ventral fin. Of nine winterized AT-7's designated AT-7B, one was provided to Netherlands Prince Bernhard during his wartime exile, and five were supplied to the British.

The Model 18 was further modified during 1941 as the advanced trainer model AT-ll "Kansas" (subsequently renamed "Kansan"), which was intended for bombardier and gunnery training, equipped with a small bomb bay, transparent bombardier's nose section, and two .30 cal. machine guns, one in the nose and one in a dorsal turret. Of the more than 1500 AT-11s built, 36 were converted to AT-11A advanced navigator trainers. A photo reconnaissance variant, designated F-2, was the final wartime run of Model 18s produced for the Army Air Force, of which 69 were acquired.

The United States Navy and Marine Corps also acquired more than 1500 Model 18s. The JRB-1 was the equivalent of the F-2, the JRB-2 was a transport, and the JRB-3 and JRB-4 were the equivalent of the C-45B and UC-45F, respectively. The SNB-1, -2, and -3 were the equivalent of the AT-11, -7, and -7C, respectively. Other variations included an air ambulance and an electronics countermeasures trainer.

After WWII hostilities ceased, Beech returned to the manufacture of the civilian Model 18 which culminated in the Super 18 (E18S) producing more than 700 before ceasing production in 1969 with the model H-18, in an enviable production life spanning 32 years. The plane survives today, with many standard and customized variants still flying as light airliners, and as corporate and private aircraft.

Nicknames: Witchita Wobbler (RAF); Twin Harvard; Slow Navy Bomber (SNB)

Specifications (AT-11):
        Engines: Two 450-hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Junior radial piston engines.
        Weight: Empty 6,175 lbs., Max Takeoff 8,727 lbs.
        Wing Span: 47ft. 8in.
        Length: 34ft. 3in.
        Height: 9ft. 8in.
        Performance:
            Maximum Speed: 215 mph
            Ceiling: 21,400 ft.
            Range: 850 miles
        Armament: Two .30-caliber machine guns, one in nose, one in dorsal turret.

Number Built: 9,388 (All variants)

Number Still Airworthy: 250+ (All variants)

C-45 Cockpit Photo:

(Click for larger)

Links:
AT-11 Aircraft Locator
AT-11 at US Air Force Museum
Blackhawk Aircraft Maintenance, LLC, Janesville, Wisconsin, USA -- Beech 18 restorations, maintenance, and inspections. [E-Mail link only]
Beech 18 and Staggerwing Site
C-45 Aircraft Locator
C-45 at US Air Force Museum
Dixie Wing of the CAF: C-45 Expeditor Page
Kiwi Aircraft Images C-45 Page
Mox Air C-45 Page
Pima Air Museum C-45/AT-11 Page
Skytamer C-45 data page
SNB Aircraft Locator
SNB Restoration at MAPS Air Museum, Ohio
Southwestern Aero Exchange, Owasso, Oklahoma, USA -- Parts for Beech 18s and related aircraft.
Time Travel Air -- Expeditor restoration in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Many technical documents available for free download.
TwinBeech.com (Vintage Aircraft), Stockton, California, USA -- Restoration, maintenance and technical information for Beech 18s.
Virtual Aviation Museum Beech-18 / C-45 Page

Beech Model 18 / AT-11 / C-45 products from Amazon.com:

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