Beechcraft AT-7 Navigator

Photo courtesy of Walter Kaffka


There were four versions of the popular Beechcraft Model 18 commercial light transport. Beech built a total of 4,526 of these aircraft for the Army Air Forces between 1939 and 1945. The versions include: the AT-7 "Navigator" navigation trainer, the AT-11 "Kansan" bombing-gunnery trainer, the C-45 "Expeditor" utility transport and the F-2 for aerial photography and mapping. The AT-7 and AT-11 versions were well-known to WWII navigators and bombardiers, for most of these men recieved their training in these aircraft. Thousands of AAF pilot cadets also were given advanced training in twin-engine Beech airplanes.


Specifications

Span: 47ft. 8in.
Length: 34ft. 2in.
Height: 9ft. 2in.
Weight: 9,300lbs. maximum
Armament: None
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-985s of 450 hp. each
Serial Number: 210893

Performance:

Maximum speed: 219 mph.
Cruising speed: 150 mph.
Range: 1,140 miles
Service ceiling: 18,200 ft.


Photo courtesy of Roy B. Gates


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