Beechcraft GB-1

Beechcraft · USA · first flew 1941 · transport aircraft

The GB-1 was the US Navy and Marine Corps designation for early impressed or procured Beechcraft Model 18 twin-engine transports used as staff and utility aircraft. The Model 18 was one of the most versatile light twins of the era.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Oval cabin windows along fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Twin-engine low-wing light transport
US Navy designation for Beech 18
Oval cabin windows along fuselage

Classic twin-engine low-wing monoplane with rounded fuselage, distinctive oval cabin windows, twin radial engines in close-fitting cowlings, and a conventional tail with pronounced dihedral on the tailplane.

Specifications

The Beechcraft GB-1 has a length of 10.4 m (34 ft).
It has a wingspan of 14 m (46 ft).
Its maximum speed is 354 km/h (220 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Beechcraft Model 18s were adopted by virtually every Allied air arm during World War II under various designations. The US Navy GB series covered staff transport variants, with the GB-1 being among the earliest Navy-specific procurement batches allocated from commercial or impressed civilian aircraft.

Variants

The GB-1 and GB-2 were successive Navy procurement variants of the Model 18, differing mainly in engine fit and internal configuration; the Army Air Forces operated the same basic type as the C-45 Expeditor.

Where you'll see it

Used widely by the US Navy for personnel transport, instrument training, and communications duties throughout World War II; the Model 18 family served globally with Allied forces.

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