Beech Aircraft Co. C-45G Expeditor
Manufacturer:
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Beech Aircraft Co.
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Role/Function:
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Utility/Trainer
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Serial Number:
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51-11897
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Model Number:
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Model 18
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Crew/Passengers:
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2 Crew & 5 Passengers.
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Power Plant:
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2 - 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engines.
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Performance:
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Max Speed: 210 mp/h
Service Ceiling: 20.000 ft.
Range: 700 mi.
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Weights:
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Maximum: 8,727 lbs.
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Dimensions:
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Wing Span: 48 ft 8 in.
Length: 34 ft. 3 in.
Height: 9 ft. 8 in.
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Armament:
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none
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Cost:
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N/A
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# Built:
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4,000 were built for the U.S. Army Air Force and over 1,500 for the U.S. Navy.
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The Beech C-45 Expeditor is one of several aircraft based on the Model 18 Twin Beech. Beech manufactured over 5,000 aircraft during World War II for the U.S. and several foreign governments. Other variants of this aircraft were the AT-11 Kansan bombardier and gunnery trainer, the AT-7 Navigator navigation trainer, and the Navy's SNB-1 and SNB-2 trainers and JRB utility transport.
The C-45 earned the nickname "Bug Smasher" and served as a small transport/liaison aircraft. The aircraft on display at Castle Air Museum served with the Navy at the San Diego Naval Air Station. In 1951 it was part of a program to rebuild AT-7/AT-11/SNB aircraft to C-45 configuration. After military service, it was used as a civilian aircraft by the Department of Agriculture.
5050 Santa Fe Drive • Atwater, California • 95301