Beechcraft C-12D Huron

Beechcraft · United States · first flew 1976 · transport aircraft

The C-12D Huron introduced a large cargo/paratroop door on the rear left fuselage, based on the commercial King Air A200CT, enabling mixed passenger/cargo and paradrop operations.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × turboprop, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Based on King Air A200CT — fitted with large cargo door on rear fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

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Based on King Air A200CT — fitted with large cargo door on rear fuselage
PT6A-41 engines and strengthened floor for cargo operations
Rear airstair door plus large cargo door distinguishes it from C-12A/C

Distinguished from C-12A/C by the large rectangular cargo door on the aft left fuselage; otherwise shares the same low-wing, T-tail, twin-turboprop profile of the Huron family.

Specifications

The Beechcraft C-12D Huron has a length of 13.34 m (44 ft).
It has a wingspan of 16.61 m (54 ft).
Its maximum speed is 536 km/h (333 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Adopted by the US Army in the late 1970s, the C-12D's cargo door made it significantly more versatile than its predecessors for logistic support missions. It also featured a strengthened cabin floor to handle freight loads.

Variants

The C-12D airframe was also the basis for the RC-12D SIGINT variant, which retained the same outer mould line but was filled with intelligence-gathering equipment.

Where you'll see it

Served with US Army aviation units worldwide in the utility transport role; some remain in service with Army National Guard and allied nations.

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