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Subject: Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing
Date: 17 Jun 2017 07:00:06 -0700
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_Model_17_Staggerwing
The Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing is an American biplane with an atypical
negative wing stagger (the lower wing is farther forward than the upper wing),
that first flew in 1932.
At the height of the Great Depression, aircraft executive Walter H. Beech and
airplane designer T. A. "Ted" Wells joined forces to collaborate on a project to
produce a large, powerful, and fast cabin biplane built specifically for the
business executive. The Beechcraft Model 17, popularly known as the
"Staggerwing", was first flown on November 4, 1932. During its heyday, it was
used as an executive aircraft, much as the private jet is now, and its primary
competition were the Waco Custom Cabin and Waco Standard Cabin series of
biplanes.
The Model 17's unusual negative stagger wing configuration (the upper wing
staggered behind the lower) and unique shape maximized pilot visibility while
negligibly reducing interference between the wings. The fabric-covered fuselage
was faired with wood formers and stringers over a welded, steel tube frame.
Construction was complex and took many man-hours to complete. The Staggerwing's
retractable conventional landing gear, uncommon at that time, combined with
careful streamlining, light weight, and a powerful radial engine, helped it
perform well.
In the mid-1930s, Beech undertook a major redesign of the aircraft, to create
the Model D17 Staggerwing. The D17 featured a lengthened fuselage that improved
the aircraft's handling characteristics by increasing control leverage, and the
ailerons were relocated to the upper wings, eliminating interference with the
flaps. Braking was improved with a foot-operated brake linked to the rudder
pedals.
Role
Utility aircraft
Manufacturer
Beech Aircraft Corporation
Designer
T. A. Wells
First flight
4 November 1932
Introduction
1933
Primary users
Private sector
United States Army Air Forces
Produced
1933-1949
Number built
785
Unit cost
US$14,000-17,000 (1933)
US$29,000 (1949)
As World War II loomed, a number of Model B17Ls were pressed into service as
bombers by the FARE, the air forces of the Second Spanish Republic during the
Spanish Civil War. China ordered a number of Staggerwings to use as ambulance
planes in its fight against Imperial Japan. Finland had one C17L as a liaison
aircraft between 1940-1945. On October 2, 1941, Beech shipped a special
camouflaged D17S to Prince Bernhard of Lippe, who was in exile in London after
the German invasion of the Netherlands. He used it for refugee work in and
around London.
The Beech UC-43 Traveler was a slightly modified version of the Staggerwing. In
late 1938, the United States Army Air Corps purchased three Model D17Ss to
evaluate them for use as light liaison aircraft. These were designated YC-43.
After a short flight test program, the YC-43s went to Europe to serve as liaison
Specifications (Beech Model D17S)
General characteristics
Crew: one
Capacity: three passengers
Payload: 125 lb (56.7 kg) of baggage
Length: 26 ft 10 in (8.18 m)
Wingspan: 32 ft (9.75 m)
Height: 8 ft (2.44 m)
Empty weight: 2,540 lb (1,150 kg)
Loaded weight: 4,250 lb (1,930 kg)
(340 kW) at 2,300 rpm
Performance
Maximum speed: 212 mph (184 knots, 341 km/h)
Cruise speed: 202 mph (176 knots, 325 km/h)
Range: 582 nm (670 mi, 1,078 km)
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)
Power/mass: 9.44 lb/hp (5.68 kg/kW)
*
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