Beech AT-11 Kansan
\nUsed to train bombardiers during World War Two, the design was based on the popular Model 18 \u201cTwin Beech\u201d\u00a0which was very popular as a fast, comfortable, business transport.<\/p>\n
Civilian registration: N64463
\nManufacturer\u2019s serial: 4534
\nEx-military serial: 42-37538
\nWingspan: 47 feet 8 inches
\nLength: 34 feet 2 inches
\nHeight: 9 feet 8 inches
\nEngine: two Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Junior\u00a0nine-cylinder radial 450 hp each
\nSeating capacity: 6 (pilot + five passengers)
\nSpeeds top: 215 mph\u00a0cruise:\u00a0\u00a0 200 mph\u00a0landing: 100 mph
\nG limits:\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad3.8 \u00a0 – 2
\nCeilings\u00a0cruise:\u00a0\u00a0 5,000 feet (as flown today)\u00a0maximum: 21,200 feet
\nRange: 910 miles
\nFuel capacity: 200 gallons
\nFuel consumption: \u00a0 \u00a0 45 gph
\nWeights \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0gross: 8,195 lbs\u00a0empty: 5,600 lbs<\/p>\n
Armament:
\ntwo .30 inch machine guns mounted in dorsal fuselage turret\u00a010 100 lb bombs
\nNumber built: 5,204 military versions, including 1,178 AT-11s<\/p>\n
Before there was an AT-11, there was Beech Aircraft Company
\nof Wichita, Kansas. For decades, the nickname \u201cBeechcraft\u201d applied
\nto all Beech designs, starting with the Model 18, which flew for the first time in January 1937. The 18 was soon nicknamed the \u201cTwin Beech.\u201d
\nFirst flights were made by TWA pilots James N. Peyton and Jack Thornberg. Peyton noted, \u201cThis aircraft was outstanding in its class.
\nIt exceeded all its estimated performance figures.\u201d Thornberg said,
\n\u201cThe \u2018Twin Beech\u2019 was the greatest airplane of its kind I have ever flown.\u201d
\nIn 1939, the Republic of China ordered 20 Beech 18s modified
\nto serve as bomber trainers equipped with clear plastic noses,
\na gun turret on the top of the fuselage, and a machine gun mount
\nplaced in the floor of the rear fuselage. The modifications included
\na bomb bay, which held up to twenty 25 lb bombs.<\/p>\n
The first US military orders for the type (designated C-45) were placed in 1940. In 1941, General Henry (\u201cHap\u201d) Arnold visited the
\nBeech aircraft factory and placed the first order for trainer versions
\nof the aircraft to be used by the US Army Air Forces (USAAF).
\nUsing the same basic airframe other US versions were
\nmanufactured for the USAAF as the AT-7 Navigator, C-45
\nExpeditor, F-2 (reconnaissance), the US Navy as the JRB
\n(transport) and SNB (trainer). Military forces, including those
\nof Canada, Turkey, The Netherlands, China and US, purchased
\n5,204 examples of the type.
\nMost US-trained pilots, bombardiers, air gunners and navigators flew AT-11s before joining operational units.
\nOf the 1,178 built during World War Two, fewer than 10 AT-11s fly
\ntoday in their original configuration.<\/p>\n
Sponsored by George Alarm Company\u2028Springfield, Illinois\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0217-525-1335<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Beech AT-11 Kansan Used to train bombardiers during World War Two, the design was based on the popular Model 18 \u201cTwin Beech\u201d\u00a0which was very popular as a fast, comfortable, business transport. Civilian registration: N64463 Manufacturer\u2019s serial: 4534 Ex-military serial: 42-37538 Wingspan: 47 feet 8 inches Length: 34 feet 2 inches Height: 9 feet 8 inches Engine: two Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Junior\u00a0nine-cylinder radial 450 hp each Seating capacity: 6 (pilot + five passengers) Speeds top: 215 mph\u00a0cruise:\u00a0\u00a0 200 mph\u00a0landing: 100 mph G limits:\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00ad\u00ad\u00ad3.8 \u00a0 – 2 Ceilings\u00a0cruise:\u00a0\u00a0 5,000 feet (as flown today)\u00a0maximum: 21,200 feet Range: 910 miles Fuel capacity: 200 gallons Fuel consumption: \u00a0 \u00a0 45 gph Weights … Continue reading