VINTAGE FLYING MACHINES
FLYING MUSEUM
Beech-18
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.
In 1955, deliveries of the Model E18S commenced; the E18S featured a fuselage that was extended 6 in (150 mm) higher for more headroom in the passenger cabin. All later Beech 18s (sometimes called Super 18s) featured this taller fuselage, and some earlier
models (including one AT-11) have been modified to this larger fuselage.
VFM’s Beech 18 was built in 1956 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for us by the United States Forest Service. Originally configured as a smoke jumper aircraft it was
later highly modified for aerial survey work with the Pacific Northwest Region 6 US Forest Service. When it was replaced by the Forest Service it was given to the United States Air Force Museum to use as trade stock. It was later traded to Hawkins & Powers an aerial firefighting company. It went through several owners before being
obtained by VFM in 2024.
