Beechcraft CT-128 Expeditor 3 TM

Beechcraft · Canada · first flew 1952 · transport aircraft

The CT-128 Expeditor 3 TM was the Canadian Armed Forces designation for a Canadian-assembled variant of the Beechcraft Model 18 used primarily as a multi-engine aircrew trainer.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.5 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Canadian Armed Forces multi-engine trainer variant of Beech 18
Twin-boom conventional tail on classic twin
Round-nose twin-engine light transport

The classic Beech 18 oval fuselage cross-section, twin tail fins, and round-nosed cowlings are unmistakable; the CT-128 is identical externally to other Expeditor variants and civil Model 18s.

Specifications

The Beechcraft CT-128 Expeditor 3 TM has a length of 10.5 m (34 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.1 m (50 ft).
Its maximum speed is 360 km/h (224 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Canada operated large numbers of Beech 18 variants under the Expeditor name for transport and training duties. The CT-128 designation covered aircraft fitted out specifically for twin-engine training missions, helping transition aircrew to multi-engine types before progressing to larger aircraft.

Variants

Canadian Expeditors were built in several marks; the Expeditor 3 series included the 3N (navigation trainer) and 3TM (twin-engine trainer), both derived from the commercial Model 18 with military equipment.

Where you'll see it

Served the Royal Canadian Air Force and later Canadian Armed Forces into the 1970s; the Beech 18 in its many guises is one of the most widely preserved twin-piston aircraft in North America.

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