Beechcraft Model 34 Twin-Quad
Beechcraft · United States · first flew 1947 · airliner
The Beechcraft Model 34 Twin-Quad was a prototype airliner built by Beechcraft in the period between the Second World War and the Korean War. It was a four-engine high-wing monoplane.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.15 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | V-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- V-tail (butterfly tail)
- Four engines buried in the wings, each pair driving a single propeller
- Tricycle undercarriage on a high-wing airliner
The four Lycoming GSO-580 engines are buried in the wings, each pair driving one propeller through clutches and a common gearbox. The tail is a two-surface V-tail like the Bonanza.
Specifications
- The Beechcraft Model 34 Twin-Quad has a length of 16.15 m (53 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.34 m (70 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 370 km/h (230 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It first flew on 1 October 1947 with Beech chief pilot Vern Carstens at the controls. It was designed for 14 passengers and eventually converted for 20.
Variants
Only one was built. Two further prototypes were being made after the crash, one for static test and one for flight testing.
Where you'll see it
After more than 200 hours of test flying, the sole aircraft was damaged beyond repair in a forced landing on 17 January 1949, killing the co-pilot. Beech terminated the project as it had attracted no orders and could not compete with cheap war-surplus transports.
Related aircraft
- Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
- Beechcraft Bonanza (V35)
- Beechcraft Twin Bonanza
- Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly
- Airspeed Ambassador
- Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
- Convair 240
- Convair CV-240 family
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