Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing Explained

The Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing is an American biplane with an atypical negative wing stagger (the lower wing is farther forward than the upper wing). It first flew in 1932.

Development

In 1932, Walter H. Beech, formerly head of the aircraft manufacturer Travel Air, left Curtiss-Wright, which had purchased Travel Air in 1929, to set up a new company, Beech Aircraft Corporation, based in Wichita, Kansas. Beech took the airplane designer Ted A. Wells from Curtiss-Wright, and the first project of the new company was the Model 17, a fast biplane with an enclosed cabin designed to meet the needs of business executives. It was based on a design drafted by Wells while at Curtiss-Wright, but rejected by the Curtiss-Wright board. The Beechcraft Model 17, popularly known as the "Staggerwing", was first flown on November 4, 1932. During its heyday, it was used as an executive aircraft, much as the private jet is now, and its primary competition were the Waco Custom Cabin and Waco Standard Cabin series of biplanes.

The Model 17's unusual negative stagger wing configuration (the upper wing staggered behind the lower) and unique shape maximized pilot visibility and was intended to reduce interference drag between the wings (although it was later found to have negligible effect).[1] The fabric-covered fuselage was faired with wood formers and stringers over a welded, steel tube frame.[1] Construction was complex and took many man-hours to complete. The Staggerwing's retractable conventional landing gear, uncommon at that time, combined with careful streamlining, light weight, and a powerful radial engine, helped it perform well.

In the mid-1930s, Beech undertook a major redesign of the aircraft, to create the Model D17 Staggerwing. The D17 featured a lengthened fuselage that improved the aircraft's handling characteristics by increasing control leverage, and the ailerons were relocated to the upper wings, eliminating interference with the flaps. Braking was improved with a foot-operated brake linked to the rudder pedals.

Between April 1936 through May 1940 there were six Model 17 fatal accidents involving midair breakups that were attributed to weather conditions and structural failures, later determined to be caused by flutter of the ailerons and wings. The CAA Bureau of Safety Regulation initially issued an edict to restrict maximum airspeed and instrument flight, which was later replaced by a safety bulletin requiring lead balance weights to be added to the ailerons and flaps, and plywood panels to the outboard portion of the wings to increase torsional stiffness of the wing tip section.[2]

Operational history

Sales began slowly. The first Staggerwings' high price tag (between US$14,000 and $17,000, depending on engine size) scared off potential buyers in an already depressed civil aircraft market. Only 18 Model 17s were sold during 1933, the first year of production, but sales steadily increased. Each Staggerwing was custom-built by hand. The luxurious cabin, trimmed in leather and mohair, held up to five passengers. Eventually, the Staggerwing captured a substantial share of the passenger aircraft market. By the start of World War II, Beechcraft had sold more than 424 Model 17s.

Air racing

The Staggerwing's speed made it popular with 1930s air racers. An early version of the Model 17 won the 1933 Texaco Trophy Race. In 1935, a British diplomat, Capt. H.L. Farquhar, successfully flew around the world in a Model B17R, traveling 21,332 miles (34,331 kilometers) from New York to London, by way of Siberia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and back across Europe.

Louise Thaden and Blanche Noyes won the 1936 Bendix trophy in a Model C17R Staggerwing. Thaden also won the Harmon Trophy for her achievement. Jackie Cochran set a women's speed record of 203.90NaN0, established an altitude record of over 30,000 feet (9,144 m), and finished third in the 1937 Bendix Trophy Race, all in a special Model D17W Staggerwing. The aircraft made an impressive showing in the 1938 Bendix race, as well.

In 1970, due to a dispute with the T-6 racing class, the Reno National Air Races invited five Staggerwings to perform a demonstration race. Two G models and two D17 models raced. The five pilots were Bryant Morris, Bert Jensen, Don Clark, Noel Gourselle, and Phil Livingston, the only pilot to have prior racing experience in the T-6 class. The race was flawless, with ABC Wide World of Sports coverage, but protesting T-6 racers prevented the class from future competition with allegations of safety issues.

World War II

As World War II loomed, a number of Model B17Ls were pressed into service as bombers by the Spanish Republican Air Force, the air forces of the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War. China ordered a number of Staggerwings to use as air ambulances in its fight against Imperial Japan. Finland had one C17L as a liaison aircraft between 1940 and 1945. On October 2, 1941, Beech shipped a special camouflaged D17S to Prince Bernhard of Lippe, who was in exile in London after the German invasion of the Netherlands. He used it for refugee work in and around London.

The Beech UC-43 Traveler was a slightly modified version of the Staggerwing. In late 1938, the United States Army Air Corps purchased three Model D17Ss to evaluate them for use as light liaison aircraft. These were designated YC-43 (Y designating a development aircraft or non-standard type, C standing for Cargo). After a short flight test program, the YC-43s went to Europe to serve as liaison aircraft with the air attachés in London, Paris, and Rome.

Early in World War II, the need for a compact executive-type transport or courier aircraft became apparent, and in 1942, the United States Army Air Forces ordered the first of 270 Model 17s for service within the United States and overseas as the UC-43 (USAAF designation for Utility, Cargo). These differed only in minor details from the commercial model. To meet urgent wartime needs, the government also purchased or leased (impressed) additional "Staggerwings" from private owners, including 118 more for the Army Air Force plus others for the United States Navy. In Navy service, the airplanes were designated as GB-1 and GB-2 (under USN designating convention signifying General (purpose), Beech, 1st or 2nd variant of type). The British Royal Air Force and Royal Navy acquired 106 "Traveller Mk. I" (the British name uses the UK double "l" spelling) through the Lend-Lease arrangement to fill its own critical need for light personnel transports.

The production UC-43 differed in minor details from the service test YC-43. Two distinguishing external features of the UC-43 are the circular automatic direction finder antennae mounted between the main landing gear and landing lights near the lower wingtips. They were all powered by the 450 horsepower (336 kilowatt) Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine.

Postwar

After the war's end, Beech immediately converted its manufacturing capabilities back to civil aircraft production, making one final version of the Staggerwing, the Model G17S. They built 16 aircraft, which they sold for US$29,000 apiece. Norway sold one D17S to Finland in 1949, which the Finnish Air Force used from 1950 to 1958.

The lightweight V-tail Beechcraft Bonanza, a powerful four-passenger luxury aircraft, soon replaced the venerable Staggerwing in the Beech product line, at about a third of the price. The Bonanza was a smaller aircraft with less horsepower, but carried four people at a similar speed to the Staggerwing. Beechcraft sold the 785th and final Staggerwing in 1948 and delivered it in 1949.

Critical praise

In March 2003, Plane & Pilot magazine named the Staggerwing one of its Top Ten All-Time Favorite aircraft.[3]

In the April 2007 issue of AOPA Pilot magazine, it was reported that the Staggerwing was voted by nearly 3000 AOPA members as the Most Beautiful Airplane. "Members said it's the perfect balance between 'muscular strength and delicate grace,' and rated it highly for its 'classic lines and symmetry.'"

The November 2012 issue of Aviation History magazine ranked the Staggerwing fifth in their top 12 list of the Worlds Most Beautiful Airplanes. Stating that "Some might think 'the Stag' ungainly, backward wings and all, yet it has become the prime example of vintage beauty" and "...the aftward upper wing led to the big, steeply raked windscreen that is also a key element of what some have called an art deco classic."[4]

Variants

Production by Model! Model
Designation! Number
Produced
17R2
A17F1
A17FS1
B17B2
B17E4
B17L46
B17R15
C17B39
C17E22
C17L6
C17R17
D17A8
D17R27
D17S67 civilian
412 military
D17W2
E17B54
E17L1
F17D60
G17S20
Total785
17
  • Fixed gear prototypes, manufactured from 1932 to 1933.
    17R
  • Prototypes, powered by 420hp Wright R-975-E2 engine. Made first flight on November 4, 1932. Two built.
    17J
  • Proposed single-seat military development of the Model 17 powered by a 715hp Wright Cyclone engine. The cockpit was moved aft of the upper wing, which was to be in an inverted gull configuration to improve visibility. Not built.
    A17
  • Fixed gear, plans for production abandoned in 1935.
    A17F
  • Powered by 690hp Wright R-1820-F11 engine. One built.
    A17FS
  • Powered by 710hp Wright SR-1820-F3 engine. One built.
    B17
  • Retractable gear, first production model, manufactured from March 1934 to March 1936.
    B17B
  • 285hp Jacobs L-5 engine. One built 1934.
    B17E
  • 285hp Wright R-760-E1 engine. Four built from 1935.
    B17L
  • 225hp Jacobs L-4 engine. 48 built.
    SB17L
  • B17L fitted with floats. One built.
    B17R
  • 425hp Wright R-975-E2/E3 engine. 16 built from 1935.
    C17
  • Manufactured from March 1936 to March 1937.
    C17B
  • 285hp Jacobs L-5 engine. 40 built.
    SC17B
  • Floatplane version of C17B - One built.
    C17E
  • 285hp Wright R-760-E1.
    C17L
  • 225hp Jacobs L-4 engine. Six built.
    C17R
  • 420hp Wright R-975-E2/E3 engine. 16 built.
    SC17R
  • Floatplane C17R. One built.
    D17
  • Manufactured from March 1937 to 1945 (All were military models after 1941).
    D17A
  • 350hp Wright R-760-E2. 10 built.
    D17R
  • 420hp Wright R-975-E3 engine. 27 built.
    D17S
  • 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-SB Wasp Junior. 23 built.
    SD17S
  • Floatplane version of D17S.
    D17W
  • 600hp geared and supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-985-SC-G Wasp Junior. Two built.
    E17
  • Manufactured from March 1937 to 1941.
    E17B
  • Powered by 285hp Jacobs L-MB engine. 50 built.
    SE17B
  • Amphibian version of E17B. Four built.
    E17L
  • Powered by 225hp Jacobs L-4 engine. One built.
    F17
  • Manufactured from April 1938 to 1941.
    F17D
  • Powered by 330hp Jacobs L-6 engine. 61 built.
    SF17D
  • One built.
    G17
  • Manufactured from 1946 to 1948.
    G17S
  • Powered by 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN4 engine. 20 built.
    Tachikawa-Beechcraft C17E Light Transport
  • 20 built in licence production in Japan by Tachikawa, plus two assembled from imported parts for Dai Nihon Koku KK. Manshu, Chuka Koku and agencies such as provincial police headquarters.
    20M
  • Unbuilt twin-engine derivative of the Model 17. Was to have been powered by two Menasco C6S-4 Super Buccaneer engines. Canceled in favor of the Model 18.[5]

    Military designations

    YC-43
  • Three Model D17S with a 450hp R-985-17 engine for evaluation by the United States Army Air Corps
    UC-43 Traveler
  • Production version with a 450hp R-985-AN-1 engine, 75 ordered for the Army Air Corps and 63 for the United States Navy as the GB-1, 132 were later transferred from the Navy to the Army Air Corps.
    UC-43A
  • Model D17R with 440hp R-975-11 engine, 13 impressed into service.
    UC-43B
  • Model D17S with 450hp R-985-17 engine, 13 impressed into service.
    UC-43C
  • Model F17D with 300hp R-915-1 engine, 37 impressed into service.
    UC-43D
  • Model E17B with 285hp R-830-1 engine, 31 impressed into service.
    UC-43E
  • Model C17R with 440hp R-975-11 engine, five impressed into service.
    UC-43F
  • Model D17A with 350hp R-975-3 engine, one impressed into service.
    UC-43G
  • Model C17B with 285hp R-830-1 engine, 10 impressed into service.
    UC-43H
  • Model B17R with 440hp R-975-11 engine, three impressed into service.
    UC-43J
  • Model C17L with 225hp R-755-1 engine, three impressed into service.
    UC-43K
  • Model D17W, one impressed into service. This aircraft was originally built in 1937 for famed aviator Jacqueline Cochran. Cochran flew the airplane in the 1937 Bendix cross-country race and placed first in the Women's Division and 3rd overall. She also set a Women's National Speed Record of 203.895 miles per hour using the airplane.
    GB-1
  • United States Navy transport version of the D17, ten bought in 1939 and ten impressed into USN service.
    GB-2
  • USN version as GB-1 but with a 450hp R-985-50 or R-985-AN-1 engine, 271 built, 132 later transferred to USAAF as UC-43s. Also additional aircraft from a cancelled British contract and impressed aircraft.
    JB-1
  • One Model C17R as an executive transport for the United States Navy.
    Traveller I
  • British designation for the former US Embassy in London's YC-43 and 107 UC-43 and GB-2 aircraft delivered mainly for the Royal Navy.

    Engine selection

    Beechcraft Model 17 Engine Selections
    SuffixEngine (radial configuration)CylindersPower (hp)
    AWright R-760-E27350
    BJacobs L-5 (R-830-1)7285
    DJacobs L-6 (R-915A3)7330
    EWright R-760-E17285
    FWright R-1820-F119690
    FSWright SR-1820-F3 (supercharged)9710
    LJacobs L-4 (R-755D)7225
    RWright R-975-E2 or E39420–450
    SP&W R-985-AN-1 or AN-39450
    WP&W R-985-SC-G (supercharged & geared)9600

    Operators

    Military

    Numbers operated from[6]

    Brazil
    Republic of China-Nanjing
    Spain
    United States

    Aircraft on display

    Brazil
    United States

    Surviving aircraft

    Many Staggerwings remain registered with the FAA in flyable condition, or undergoing restoration. Several military versions are on display.

    Canada
    United Kingdom
    United States

    References

    Notes
    Bibliography

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Sport Aviation. January 1961. The Beechcraft Biplanes.
    2. Web site: The savior of the Staggerwing fleet. General Aviation News. May 22, 2019. Sparky. Barnes.
    3. Web site: Top 10 All-Time Favorites . March 2003 . August 7, 2006 . Warner Publishing Corporation . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20061018021707/http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/content/2003/mar/top10_favorites.html . October 18, 2006 . dmy .
    4. Wilkinson. Stephan. Aviation History Magazine; "The Worlds Most Beautiful Airplanes". Aviation History . 2012. Weider History Group. Leesburg, VA. 1076-8858. 22–29. September 24, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120918024952/http://www.historynet.com/magazines/aviation_history. September 18, 2012. dead.
    5. Web site: Bygone Beechcrafts – Part One . 2024-01-27 . King Air . en-US.
    6. Web site: World Air Forces: Historical listings of the aircraft used . Chris Thornburg . December 3, 2006 . www.worldairforces.com . Chris Thornburg . August 6, 2012 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120716224534/http://www.worldairforces.com/ . July 16, 2012 . dmy .
    7. Jowett, Philip (2004). Rays of The Rising Sun, Armed Forces of Japan’s Asian Allies 1931–45, Volume I: China & Manchuria. p. 96.
    8. Book: Heinonen. Timo. Valtonen. Hannu. Albatrossista Pilatukseen – Suomen sotilaslentokoneet 1917–2010. 2010. Keski-Suomen ilmailumuseo. Tikkakoski. 978-952-99989-2-0. 160–161. fi.
    9. Web site: Staggerwing – Beechcraft D17S | Beech Aircraft Corporation. Museu Aeroespacial. January 17, 2017.
    10. Web site: Airframe Dossier – Beech UC-43 Traveler, s/n 2778 FABr, c/n 6691, c/r PT-CVC. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    11. Web site: Aircraft Exhibits & Memorabilia. Beechcraft Heritage Museum. July 24, 2017. August 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170806142643/https://beechcrafthm.org/exhibits.html. dead.
    12. Web site: Beechcraft C17L Staggerwing. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. January 17, 2017. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118220103/https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/beechcraft-c17l-staggerwing. dead.
    13. Web site: Peijmen. Dré. c/n 225 – 264. www.beech17.net. WordPress. January 17, 2017.
    14. Web site: Airframe Dossier – Beech UC-43F Traveler, s/n 42-49071 USAAF, c/n 0305, c/r N50959. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    15. Web site: Baugher. Joe. 1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-39758 to 42-50026). JoeBaugher.com. January 17, 2017. December 28, 2016.
    16. Web site: Beech D17S (UC-43). Yanks Air Museum. January 17, 2017.
    17. Web site: Airframe Dossier – Beech UC-43 Traveler, s/n 43-10842 USAAF, c/n 4890, c/r N51746. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    18. Web site: GB-2 TRAVELLER. National Naval Aviation Museum. Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. January 17, 2017. September 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170912233950/http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=gb_traveller. dead.
    19. Web site: Airframe Dossier – Beech GB-2 Traveler, s/n 32873 USN, c/n 6700, c/r N9459H. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    20. Web site: Currently Showing In Museum. Fantasy of Flight. November 14, 2016 . January 17, 2017.
    21. Web site: Airframe Dossier – Beech UC-43 Traveler, s/n 44-67772 USAAF, c/n 6880, c/r N52962. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    22. Web site: Beechcraft D-17S Staggerwing: An Art Deco classic. Lone Star Flight Museum. 2019-05-23. May 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190523213004/https://www.lonestarflight.org/aircraft/beechcraft-d-17s-staggerwing. dead.
    23. Web site: Beech UC-43 Traveler. National Museum of the US Air Force. January 17, 2017. April 16, 2015.
    24. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Beech UC-43 Traveler, s/n 23733 USN, c/n 6913, c/r N67198. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    25. Web site: Airframe Dossier – Beech D17S Staggerwing, c/n 0403, c/r CF-DTE. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    26. Web site: Beech D-17S Staggerwing. Vintage Wings of Canada. January 17, 2017. April 22, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110422181956/http://www.vintagewings.ca/Aircraft/tabid/66/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/18/language/en-CA/Beech-D-17S-Staggerwing.aspx. dead.
    27. Web site: Airframe Dossier – Beech UC-43 Traveler, s/n 43-10826 USAAF, c/n 4874, c/r CF-GKY. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    28. Web site: Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details [CF-GKY]]. Transport Canada. August 28, 2013 . January 17, 2017.
    29. Web site: Peijmen. Dré. c/n 4871 – 4900. www.beech17.net. WordPress. January 17, 2017.
    30. News: Knights. Emma. Video and photo gallery: Staggering sights on offer at this year's Old Buckenham Airshow. January 17, 2017. Eastern Daily Press. Archant Community Media Ltd. March 25, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306211019/http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/tourism/video_and_photo_gallery_staggering_sights_on_offer_at_this_year_s_old_buckenham_airshow_1_3484411. March 6, 2016. mdy-all.
    31. Web site: FAA Registry [N9405H]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. January 17, 2017. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118051619/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N9405H. dead.
    32. Web site: Beech D-17S Staggerwing. The Fighter Collection. January 17, 2017.
    33. Web site: GINFO Search Results [G-BVRE]]. Civil Aviation Authority. January 17, 2017.
    34. Web site: FAA Registry [N47024]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. January 17, 2017. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118051457/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=47024. dead.
    35. Web site: Peijmen. Dré. c/n 94 – 123. www.beech17.net. WordPress. January 17, 2017.
    36. Web site: Airframe Dossier – Beech UC-43D Traveler, s/n 42-61093 USAAF, c/n 0198, c/r N57829. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    37. Web site: FAA Registry [N57829]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. January 17, 2017. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118050950/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N57829. dead.
    38. Web site: Planes. Legacy Flight Museum. City of Rexburg. January 17, 2017. December 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171230082425/http://rexburg.org/pages/lfm-planes. dead.
    39. Web site: FAA Registry [N217SD]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. January 17, 2017. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118051748/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N217SD. dead.
    40. Web site: Beechcraft UC-43 Staggerwing. National Warplane Museum. January 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170628212122/http://www.nationalwarplane.org/Our-Fleet/Beechcraft-UC-43-Staggerwing. June 28, 2017. dead. mdy-all.
    41. Web site: Airframe Dossier – Beech GB-2 Traveler, s/n 32876 USN, c/n 6704, c/r N582. Aerial Visuals. AerialVisuals.ca. January 17, 2017.
    42. Web site: FAA Registry [N582]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. January 17, 2017. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118051228/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N582. dead.
    43. Web site: Beechcraft Staggerwing. Historic Flight at KILO-7. January 17, 2017.
    44. Web site: FAA Registry [N67738]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. January 17, 2017. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118051230/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=67738. dead.

    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing".

    Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.