Beechcraft 18

Beechcraft · United States · first flew 1937 · transport aircraft

The Beechcraft Model 18, known universally as the 'Twin Beech', is one of the most enduring twin-engine aircraft ever built, remaining in continuous production from 1937 to 1969. It served military and civil roles on every continent.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.7 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Distinctive twin-boom oval tail with twin fins
Round-cowled radial or inline engines
Long production run — over 9,000 built

Unmistakable twin oval tail, rounded fuselage, and cowled radial engines on a low tapered wing. The twin tail with twin fins is unique among aircraft of its size and era.

Specifications

The Beechcraft 18 has a length of 10.7 m (35 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.14 m (50 ft).
Typical crew: 1-2 pilots + up to 11 passengers.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in January 1937, the Model 18 saw enormous wartime production as the AT-7 Navigator trainer and C-45 Expediter transport for the US military. Post-war, thousands entered civil service as corporate transports, feederliner aircraft, and cargo haulers. Its longevity meant that airframes continued operating commercially well into the 1980s.

Variants

Major variants include the D18S (civil standard), C-45 Expediter (military), AT-7/AT-11 (trainer), and the turboprop conversions by Volpar and others. A tricycle-gear version was also produced.

Where you'll see it

Served with the US Army Air Forces, Royal Canadian Air Force, and dozens of other air arms. Still airworthy examples operate as skydiving, cargo, and warbird aircraft.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.