United States' Beech / Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor transport, Beechcraft A-7 Navigator trainer, Beechcraft A-11 Kansan trainer
Photos
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor transport: |
Beechcraft C-45 Voyager transport: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
Beechcraft C-45 Voyager transport: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook |
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Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor Mk II transport: |
Design
The Beechcraft C-45 started out as the Model 18 light transport.1,2 It was the standard navigator and bombardier trainer for the United States.1
In 1943 the C-45's name was changed to UC-45 and named Expeditor.1
Prototype
The Model 18 first flew on January 15, 1937.1
Production
Production lasted until 1969.1 Around 1,800 of the more than 9,100 were delivered after the war.1
- Beech / Beechcraft C-45: 111
- Beech / Beechcraft C-45A: 201
- Beech / Beechcraft C-45B: 2231
- Beech / Beechcraft C-45F: 1,1371
- Beech / Beechcraft AT-7: 1,1121
- Beech / Beechcraft AT-7A: 61
- Beech / Beechcraft AT-11: 1,5821
- Beech / Beechcraft F-2: 561
- Beech / Beechcraft JRB: 2801
- Beech / Beechcraft SNB: 1,2441
- Total Model 18: >9,1001
- Manufacturer: Beech Aircraft Company2
Variants
- Beechcraft 18S: Beechcraft's designation.3
- Beech / Beechcraft C-45:
- Beech / Beechcraft C-45A:
- Beech / Beechcraft C-45B:
- Beech / Beechcraft C-45F:
- Beech / Beechcraft AT-7: Used for navigator training.1,2
- Beech / Beechcraft AT-7A: Floatplane.1
- Beech / Beechcraft AT-11: Used for bombing / gunnery training.1,2
- Beech / Beechcraft F-2: Photo reconnaissance training.1,2,3 Had two multiple-lens cameras.3 For high altitude work there was oxygen equipment.3
- Beech / Beechcraft JRB: The Marine Corps name for their version of the C-45.1
- Beechcraft JRB-2: Navy.3
- Beech / Beechcraft SNB-1: The Marine Corps name for their version of the AT-11 Kansan.1
- Beech / Beechcraft SNB-2: The Marine Corps name for their version of the AT-7.1
Usage
The Beechcrafts were used by Canada, China, United Kingdom, and United States.1
The United States Navy used the JRBs as transports for personnel.3 The United States Army used the C-45s and F-2s as transports and photographic aircraft.3
United States Army Air Force First Use
In 1940 the Beechcraft Model 18 was first used by the United States Army Air Force.1 Eleven Model 18s (designated the C-45) were ordered for staff tranports.1
Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy
430 C-45s were delivered to the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.1
Specifications
| Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor, Beechcraft C-45 Voyager |
Beech C-45B Expediter | Beechcraft A-11 Kansan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Transport1,3 | Transport2 | Trainer1 |
| Crew | 12 | ||
| Passenger | 81 | 6 - 82 | |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior3 2: Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Junior1 |
2: Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Jr.2 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 91 | Radial 92 | |
| Cooling | Air2 | ||
| HP | 450 each1,3 | 450 each2 | |
| Propeller blades | |||
| Dimensions | |||
| Span | 47' 8"1,3 14.53 m1 |
47' 8"2 | |
| Length | 34' 3"1,3 10.44 m1 |
34' 3"2 | |
| Height | 9' 5"3, 9' 8"1 2.95 m1 |
9' 8"2 | |
| Wing area | |||
| Weight | |||
| Empty | 6,175 lb1 2,800 kg1 |
||
| Loaded | 7,500 lb3 | 8,727 lb2 | 8,727 lb1 3,958 kg1 |
| Performance | |||
| Speed | 215 mph1, 235 mph3 346 kph1 |
210 mph2 | |
| Cruising speed | 160 mph1 257 kph1 |
||
| Climb to 10,000' / 3,050 m |
10.1 minutes1 | ||
| Service ceiling | 20,000'1 6,095 m1 |
20,000'2 | |
| Range | 850 miles1, 1,100 miles3 1,368 km1 |
700 miles2 | |
| Armament | None2 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
- World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
- Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook, Ensign L. C. Guthman, 1943
