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The
Beechcraft Model 18, or
"Twin Beech", as it is better known, is a 6-11 seat, twin-engine, low-wing, conventional-gear aircraft that was manufactured by the
Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. This model saw military service during and after
World War II in a number of versions including the
United States Army Air Forces (USAAF)
C-45 Expeditor,
AT-7 Navigator,
AT-11 Kansan; and for the
United States Navy (USN),
UC-45J Navigator and the
SNB-1 Kansan.
The Beech 18 is the most modified U.S.-certified aircraft design, with over 200
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved
Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) on record for the aircraft.
In addition to carrying passengers the aircraft's uses have included
aerial spraying, sterile insect release, fish seeding, dry ice
cloud seeding,
aerial firefighting, airborne mail pick up and drop, ambulance service, numerous movie productions,
skydiving, freight, gun- and drug-smuggling, engine test bed, skywriting and banner towing. The Model 18 was the first aircraft flown by
Philippine Airlines, Asia's first and oldest airline. Many are now in private hands as prized collectibles.
Design and development
By the late 1930s, Beechcraft management speculated that a demand would exist for a new design dubbed the
Model 18 which would have a military...
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