Beechcraft Model 18
 Beechcraft Model 18. Photo: Airwolfhound, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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| Make | Beechcraft |
|---|---|
| Model | Beechcraft Model 18 |
| Type | Trainer, transport aircraft and utility aircraft |
| Country |  United States
|
| First flight | 15 January 1937 |
| Built | 1937–1970 |
| Status | In service |
| Number built | 9,000+ |
| Registered in the US | 152 (FAA register, October 30, 2026) |
| Seats | 2 pilots, 6 passengers |
| Engine | 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 "Wasp Junior", 450 hp |
| Range | 1,200 mi (UC-45 Expeditor) |
| Service ceiling | 26,000 ft (UC-45 Expeditor) |
| Max weight | 7,500 lb (UC-45 Expeditor)
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The Beechcraft Model 18, or "Twin Beech", is a 6- to 11-seat, twin-engine, low-wing taildragger built by Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas. It was built from 1937 to November 1969, more than 32 years, a world record at the time, and more than 9,000 were made.[1] In the U.S. there are 152 registered under Beech 18 model names (C18S, D18S, E18S, G18S, H18).[2]
History
Beechcraft designed the Model 18 in the mid-1930s as a compact business airplane and small airliner. The prototype first flew on January 15, 1937, and was certified only seven weeks later.[1] During and after World War II more than 4,500 served as transports, trainers and photo airplanes, including the USAAF C-45 Expeditor, AT-7 Navigator and AT-11 Kansan. More than 90% of USAAF bombardiers and navigators trained in them.[1]
After the war
After 1945 the Twin Beech was the leading business airplane and feeder airliner. It flew on tailwheels, nosewheels, skis or floats, and did crop spraying, cloud seeding, firefighting and airmail work.[1]
Registered in the United States
The FAA register lists 152 of these airplanes with a valid U.S. registration. Here they are by the model name the FAA uses.[2]
| FAA model name | Registered |
|---|---|
| D18S | 55 |
| E18S | 51 |
| G18S | 23 |
| C18S | 13 |
| E18S-9700 | 7 |
| 18A | 1 |
| 18S | 1 |
| 18D | 1 |
Specifications (UC-45 Expeditor)
| Item | UC-45 Expeditor |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 pilots |
| Passengers / capacity | 6 passengers |
| Length | 34 ft 3 in |
| Wingspan | 47 ft 8 in |
| Height | 9 ft 9 in |
| Wing area | 349 sq ft |
| Empty weight | 5,420 lb |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 7,500 lb |
| Engine | 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 "Wasp Junior", 450 hp (radial engines) |
| Maximum speed | 225 mph |
| Range | 1,200 mi |
| Service ceiling | 26,000 ft |
| Rate of climb | 1,850 ft/min |
Figures as given in the Wikipedia article and its sources.[1]
Photos
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Beechcraft 18 on floats. Photo: User Meggar on en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 -
Beechcraft Model 18. Photo: see the file page on Commons, Public domain -
Beechcraft Model 18. Photo: Ahunt at English Wikipedia, Public domain -
Beechcraft Model 18. Photo: US Air Force photo, Public domain -
Description: Beechcraft UC-45F in flight. Photo: see the file page on Commons, Public domain -
Beechcraft Model 18. Photo: Spotter lannuon, CC BY-SA 3.0 -
Beechcraft Model 18. Photo: Ahunt at English Wikipedia, Public domain -
Beechcraft Model 18. Photo: Chuckborri, CC BY-SA 3.0
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All photos are from Wikimedia Commons; click a photo for its full credit and license.
Buying a Beechcraft Model 18
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Wikipedia, "Beechcraft Model 18", read November 1, 2026. Airplane Wiki's text is written in its own words; facts are checked against this article and its sources.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Federal Aviation Administration, Releasable Aircraft Database, file dated October 30, 2026. Valid registrations of fixed-wing airplanes whose FAA maker and model names belong to this family. Airplane Wiki uses only counts from this file, never owner names or addresses.