Beechcraft Model 18

The Beechcraft Model 18 is a six 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 9,000 were produced, 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. During and after World War II, over 4,500 Beech 18s saw military service -- as light transport, light bomber, aircrew trainer, photo-reconnaisance, and "mother ship" for target drones -- including United States Army Air Forces C-45 Expeditor, AT-7 Navigator, AT-11 Kansan; and United States Navy UC-45J Navigator, SNB-1 Kansan, and others. In World War II, over 90% of USAAF bombardiers and navigators trained in these aircraft. In the early postwar era, the Beech 18 was the pre-eminent "business aircraft" and "feeder airliner."