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Beechcraft EXPEDITOR
RCAF Beechcraft Expeditor in its light transport role.(Photo Credit Unknown)
The United States Army issued contracts to Beech Aircraft Corporation in 1940 for eleven examples of the twin-engine Beech Model B-18 civil transport, which had first been produced in 1936. These military variants were to be identical to the commercial model, with a crew of two and seating for six passengers. This utility aircraft, to be designated the C-45, would be used to transport military personnel and light cargo. A second purchase of twenty slightly modified C-45A aircraft was made in 1941. This new version had seating for eight passengers, different engines, and additional navigation equipment. Also in 1941 a specially modified C-45 was ordered as the AT-7 navigation trainer, with individual chart tables and navigation instruments for three students. The AT-7's only outwardly apparent difference from the C-45 was the rotateable celestial dome just aft of the cockpit. The aircraft was the first U.S. military plane ordered for exclusive use as a navigational trainer. Well over 1,000 AT-7s were produced.
Primarily used by the RCAF as a short range transport, the aircraft also served as a light communication and practice flying aircraft. It was affectionately known by a variety of names such as "the Bug Smasher".
Expeditor Mk III Serials
400 Squadron 1442 1516 1559 2343 1472
401 Squadron HB112 1386 1418 2331 2325
402 Squadron 1508 1556 2328 2329 1457
403 Squadron 1417 1513 1594 2354
406 Squadron HB139 HB207 2320 2362
411 Squadron 1442 1472 1559 1561 2352
412 Squadron 1534
418 Squadron 1498 1524 1547 2377
424 Squadron FR944 1444 2290 2292 1465 1427 1570
438 Squadron 1534 1570 2352 2356
442 Squadron 1401 1411 1477 1541
443 Squadron HB143 HB210 1396 1488
CFS 1391
Unknown VN529 5198 (1589) 1546 1474 1572 2340
| Manufacturer: | Beech Aircraft |
| Crew/Passengers: | two crew & 5-7 passengers |
| Power Plant: | two 450 hp Pratt & Whitney Jr R-985-AN-14B radials |
| Performance: | Max Speed: 230 mph (370 km/h) Cruising Speed: 205 mph (330 km/h) Service Ceiling: 20,500 ft (6,248 m) Range: 1,200 miles (1,931 km) |
| Weights: | Empty: 4,600 lb (2087 kg) Gross: 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) |
| Dimensions: | Span: 47 ft 8 in (14.52 m) Length: 34 ft 3 in (10.43 m) Height: 9 ft 5 in (2.87 m) |
| Armament: | None |
| Cost: | $75,000 |