Beechcraft Model 18

{{Short description|American twin-engine, light aircraft produced 1937–1970}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Use American English|date=March 2022}}  {{Infobox aircraft |name= Model 18 |image= File:Beech 18 - Little Gransden 2019.jpg |caption= Ex RCAF Beech Expeditor 3TM, restored with<br> USAAC markings, in 2019 |type= Trainer, transport aircraft and utility aircraft |national_origin = United States |manufacturer= Beech Aircraft Corporation |designer= |first_flight= 15 January 1937 |introduction= 1937 |retired= |status= In service |primary_user= United States Army Air Forces |more_users= United States Navy<br />Royal Air Force<br />Royal Canadian Air Force |produced= 1937–1970 |number_built= 9,000+ |developed_from= |variants= |developed_into= }}

The '''Beechcraft Model 18''' (or "'''Twin Beech'''", as it is also known) is a 6- to 11-seat,<ref name="TC710"/> twin-engined, low-wing, tailwheel light aircraft manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. Continuously produced from 1937 to November 1969 (over 32 years, a world record at the time), over 9,000 were built, making it one of the world's most widely used light aircraft. Sold worldwide as a civilian executive, utility, cargo aircraft, and passenger airliner on tailwheels, nosewheels, skis, or floats, it was also used as a military aircraft.<ref name="beech_nasm">[http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?object=nasm_A19761792000 "Beechcraft D18S Twin Beech."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630092147/http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?object=nasm_A19761792000 |date=30 June 2016 }} ''National Air and Space Museum'' of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Retrieved: 17 December 2014.</ref><ref name="c45h_ex">[https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195810/beech-c-45h-expeditor/ "Fact Sheet: Beech C-45H Expeditor."] ''National Museum of the U.S. Air Force'', Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. Retrieved: 5 August 2017.</ref><ref name="twin_magz">[https://books.google.com/books?id=pJ7AF-Q1MjUC&dq=%22Twin+Beech%22&pg=PA24 "Twin Beech: The 1930s airplane that set Beech Aircraft Corporation on a course towards 50 years of success"] ''Flying Magazine'', February 1982, pp. 26-30, Retrieved: 5 August 2017</ref>

During and after World War II, over 4,500 Beech 18s were used in military service—as light transport, light bomber (for China), aircrew trainer (for bombing, navigation, and gunnery), photo-reconnaissance, and "mother ship" for target drones—including United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) '''C-45 Expeditor''', '''AT-7 Navigator''', and '''AT-11 Kansan'''; and United States Navy (USN) '''UC-45J Navigator''', '''SNB-1 Kansan''', and others. In World War II, over 90% of USAAF bombardiers and navigators trained in these aircraft.<ref name="beech_nasm" /><ref name="c45h_ex" /><ref name="beech_at11_kansan">[https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196295/beech-at-11-kansan/ "Fact Sheet: Beech AT-11 Kansan."] ''National Museum of the U.S. Air Force'', Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. Retrieved: 5 August 2017.</ref>

In the early postwar era, the Beech 18 was the pre-eminent "business aircraft" and "feeder airliner". Besides carrying passengers, its civilian uses have included aerial spraying, sterile insect release, fish stocking, dry-ice cloud seeding, aerial firefighting, air-mail delivery, ambulance service, numerous movie productions, skydiving, freight, weapon- and drug-smuggling, engine testbed, skywriting, banner towing, and stunt aircraft. Many are privately owned, around the world, with 240 in the U.S. still on the FAA Aircraft Registry in August 2017.<ref name="beech_nasm" /><ref name="twin_magz" /><ref name="techy_ga">Bauschspies, James S. and William E. Simpson, [https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19830009183.pdf "Research and Technology Program Perspectives for General Aviation and Commuter Aircraft"], NASA Contract NASW-3554 for NASA, Sept. 1982, N83-17454#. Retrieved: 18 Dec. 2014. (In particular, see: Table 2.4 "COMMUTER CARGO FLEET IN 1981 - TOP TEN AIRCRAFT MODELS - NUMBER IN FLEET," which notes Beech 18 units are more than the next two aircraft ''combined'' (Convair 500/680 and Douglas DC-3), and more than the next three general aviation aircraft combined.</ref><ref name="faa_air">[http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=BEECH&Modeltxt=18&PageNo=1 "Beech 18" FAA Aircraft Registry.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703021926/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=BEECH&Modeltxt=18&PageNo=1 |date=3 July 2018 }} '' Federal Aviation Administration''. Retrieved: 5 August 2017.</ref>

==Design and development== [[File:Beech18C-FSFHonFloats.JPG|thumb|Beech 18 on floats in Manitoba, 1986]] thumb|Beechcraft AT-11 over the West Texas prairies, around 1944 [[File:Beech 18h.jpg|thumb|Private Beech H18 with the optional tricycle undercarriage visiting Lannion, France]]

By the late 1930s, Beechcraft management speculated that a demand would exist for a new design dubbed the '''Model 18''', which would have a military application, and increased the main production facilities. The design was mainly conventional for the time, including twin radial engines, all-metal semimonocoque construction with fabric-covered control surfaces, and tailwheel undercarriage. Less conventional was the twin-tailfin configuration. The Model 18 can be mistaken for the larger Lockheed Electra series of airliners, which closely resemble it.

Early production aircraft were powered either by two 330-hp (250-kW) Jacobs L-6s or 350-hp (260-kW) Wright R-760Es. The 450-hp (336-kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 "Wasp Junior" nine-cylinder radial engine became the definitive powerplant from the prewar C18S onwards. The Beech 18 prototype first flew on 15 January 1937, and type certification followed on 4 March that year.<ref name="pellp66">Pelletier 1995, p. 66</ref>

The Model 18 has used a variety of engines and has had a number of airframe modifications to increase gross weight and speed. At least one aircraft was modified to utilize 600-hp (447-kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 "Wasp" powerplants. With the added weight of about 200 lb (91 kg) per engine, the concept of a Model 18 fitted with R-1340 engines was deemed unsatisfactory due to the weakest structural area of the aircraft being the engine mounts. Nearly every airframe component has been modified.{{fact|date=November 2024}}

In 1955, deliveries of the Model E18S commenced; the E18S featured a fuselage that was extended {{convert|6|in|mm|abbr=on}} higher for more headroom in the passenger cabin. All later Beech 18s (sometimes called Super 18s) featured this taller fuselage, and some earlier models (including one AT-11) have been modified to this larger fuselage. The Model H18, introduced in 1963, featured optional tricycle undercarriage. Unusually, the undercarriage was developed for earlier-model aircraft under an STC by Volpar, and installed in H18s at the factory during manufacture. A total of 109 H18s was built with tricycle undercarriage, and another 240 earlier-model aircraft were modified with this.<ref name="BHM18S">[http://beechcraftheritage.com/tech_library/model_18_specs/ "Model 18 Specifications."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501120124/http://beechcraftheritage.com/tech_library/model_18_specs/ |date=1 May 2008 }} ''Beechcraft Heritage Museum''. Retrieved: 24 August 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.twinbeech.com/beech18differences.htm|title=Some of the Differences Between the Models and Modifications of the Beech 18|work=twinbeech.com|date=30 September 2006|access-date=5 August 2017}}</ref>

Construction of the Beechcraft Model 18 ended in 1970 with a final Model H18 going to Miyazaki Aviation College, Japan.<ref name="BA-765">{{cite web |title=Beech H18 JA5174 |url=https://flyteam.jp/registration/JA5174 |website=flyteam.jp |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=18 April 2024}}</ref> Through the years, 32 variations of the basic design had flown, over 200 improvement modification kits were developed, and almost 8,000 aircraft were built. In one case, the aircraft was modified to a triple tail, trigear, humpbacked configuration and appeared similar to a miniature Lockheed Constellation.<ref name="jawa67 p250"/> Another distinctive conversion was carried out by Pacific Airmotive as the PacAero Tradewind. This featured a lengthened nose to accommodate the tricycle nosewheel, and the Model 18's twin tailfins were replaced by a single fin.<ref name="BCAM">[http://www.canadianflight.org/content/beechcraft-3nmt-expeditor "Beechcraft 3NMT Expeditor."] ''Canadian Museum of Flight.'' Retrieved: 13 August 2012.</ref>

==Operational history== thumb|Beechcraft 18 on floats

Production got an early boost when Nationalist China paid the company US$750,000 for six M18R light bombers,<ref name="AFB">[http://www.aerofiles.com/_beech.html "Beechcraft page."] ''Aerofiles.'' Retrieved: 12 August 2008.</ref> but by the time of the U.S. entry into World War II, only 39 Model 18s had been sold, of which 29 were for civilian customers.<ref name="BHM18S"/><ref name="BHM"/> Work began in earnest on a variant specifically for training United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) military pilots, bombardiers, and navigators. The effort resulted in the Army AT-7. Further development led to the AT-11 navigation trainer, C-45 military transport, and F-2 (the "F" standing for "Fotorecon", short for "photographic reconnaissance"). The United States Navy first adopted the Beech 18 as the JRB-1, equivalent to the F-2, followed by the JRB-2 transport; the JRB was initially named the '''Voyager''', but this name did not enter common use, and JRBs were generally called Expeditors like their USAAF counterparts.{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=41}} The first JRB-1 obtained by the Navy, bureau number (BuNo) ''09771'', was converted from the last civil Model 18 built before production was earmarked solely for the military for the duration of the war.<ref name=Baugher_1>{{cite web |url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries1.html |title=US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos, Third Series (00001 to 10316) |last=Baugher |first=Joe |date=16 August 2022 |website=joebaugher.com |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref> The Navy subsequently obtained more Model 18s as the JRB-3 (C-45B), JRB-4 (UC-45F), SNB-1 Kansan (AT-11), SNB-2 (AT-7), and SNB-2C (AT-7C).{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|pp=41–42}} Existing naval Twin Beeches were subsequently modified into the SNB-2H air ambulance, SNB-2P reconnaissance trainer, and SNB-3Q electronic countermeasures trainer.{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=42}} The United States Coast Guard acquired seven JRB-4 and JRB-5 aircraft from the Navy between 1943 and 1947; they were primarily used as utility transports, with one aircraft later converted for aerial mapping, and another used for proficiency flying.<ref name=uscg>{{cite web|url=https://www.history.uscg.mil/browse-by-topic/Aviation/Article/2016419/beech-jrb-45-expeditor/ |title=Beech JRB-4/5 "Expeditor" |publisher=United States Coast Guard |website=www.history.uscg.mil |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref><ref name=Baugher_cg>{{cite web |url=http://www.joebaugher.com/coastguardseries.html |title=US Coast Guard Aircraft Serials |last=Baugher |first=Joe |date=25 June 2022 |website=joebaugher.com |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>

After the war, the USAAF became the United States Air Force (USAF), and the USAF Strategic Air Command had Model 18 variants (AT-11 Kansans, C-45 Expeditors, F-2 Expeditors, and UC-45 Expeditors) from 1946 until 1951. In 1950, the Navy still had around 1,200 JRB and SNB aircraft in inventory.{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=42}} From 1951 to 1955, the USAF had many of its aircraft remanufactured with new fuselages, wing center sections, and undercarriages to take advantage of the improvements to the civil models since the end of World War II. Eventually, 900 aircraft were remanufactured to be similar to the then-current Model D18S and given new designations, constructor's numbers, and Air Force serial numbers.<ref name="BHM45">[https://web.archive.org/web/20081231015507/http://beechcraftheritage.com/collection/N7916A.php "C-45H."] ''Beechcraft Heritage Museum''. Retrieved: 24 August 2008.</ref> The USN had many of its surviving aircraft remanufactured as well, resulting in the JRB-6, the SNB-5, and SNB-5P.{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|pp=42–43}} The Coast Guard retired its JRBs in 1956 and sold most of them as surplus in 1959, but one was retained by the United States Coast Guard Reserve until at least 1972.<ref name=uscg/><ref name=Baugher_cg/> With the adoption of the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, the Navy's SNB-5 and SNB-5P became the TC-45J and RC-45J respectively, later becoming the UC-45J as their primary mission shifted from aircrew training to utility transport work.{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=43}} The C-45 flew in USAF service until 1963, the USN retired its last UC-45J in 1972, while the U.S. Army flew its C-45s until 1976. In later years, the military called these aircraft "bug smashers" in reference to their extensive use supplying mandatory flight hours for desk-bound aviators in the Pentagon.<ref name="Proceedings">O'Rourke, G.G, CAPT USN. "Of Hosenoses, Stoofs, and Lefthanded Spads." ''United States Naval Institute Proceedings'', July 1968.</ref>

Beech 18s were used extensively by Air America during the Vietnam War; initially more-or-less standard ex-military C-45 examples were used, but then the airline had 12 aircraft modified by Conrad Conversions in 1963 and 1964 to increase performance and load-carrying capacity. The modified aircraft were known as Conrad Ten-Twos, as the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) was increased to {{convert|10200|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="AA"/><ref>Deakin, John. [http://www.avweb.com/news/pelican/186015-1.html "Pelican's Perch #75:Those Dreadful POHs (Part 1)".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906161324/http://www.avweb.com/news/pelican/186015-1.html |date=6 September 2008 }} ''AVweb'', 9 November 2003. Retrieved: 12 August 2008.</ref> The increase was achieved by several airframe modifications, including increased horizontal stabilizer angle-of-incidence, redesigned undercarriage doors, and aerodynamically improved wingtips. Air America then had Volpar convert 14 aircraft to turboprop power, fitted with Garrett AiResearch TPE-331 engines; modified aircraft were called Volpar Turbo Beeches, and also had a further increase in MTOW to {{convert|10286|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="AA">[https://www.utdallas.edu/library/specialcollections/hac/cataam/Leeker/aircraft/vtb.pdf "Air America: Beech/Volpar Turbo Beech 18".] ''University of Texas at Dallas'', 2006. Retrieved: 5 August 2017.</ref>

===Spar problems===

The wing spar of the Model 18 was fabricated by welding an assembly of tubular steel. The configuration of the tubes in combination with drilled holes from aftermarket STC modifications on some of these aircraft have allowed the spar to become susceptible to corrosion and cracking while in service.<ref>Ramey, Taigh. [http://www.twinbeech.com/beech18sparconcerns.htm "Spar concerns."] Twinbeech.com. Retrieved: 17 December 2014.</ref> This prompted the FAA to issue an Airworthiness Directive in 1975, mandating the fitting of a spar strap to some Model 18s. This led, in turn, to the retirement of a large number of STC-modified Model 18s when owners determined the aircraft were worth less than the cost of the modifications. The corrosion on unmodified spars was not a problem; it occurred due to the additional exposed surface area created through the STC hole-drilling process. Further requirements have been mandated by the FAA and other national airworthiness authorities, including regular removal of the spar strap to allow the strap to be checked for cracks and corrosion and the spar to be X-rayed. In Australia, the airworthiness authority has placed a life limit on the airframe, beyond which aircraft are not allowed to fly.<ref>Ramey, Taigh. [http://www.twinbeech.com/considerations_when_buying_a_twi.htm "Vintage Aircraft: Things to Consider when Buying a Twin Beech Project."] ''Twinbeech.com'', Stockton, California. Retrieved: 24 August 2008.</ref><ref>[http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/0/0EA4F6AC8BB1222986256A46004B8A4E?OpenDocument "FAA Airworthiness Directive No. AD 75-27-09."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204174657/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgad.nsf/0/0EA4F6AC8BB1222986256A46004B8A4E?OpenDocument |date=4 December 2016 }} ''Federal Aviation Administration''. Retrieved: 24 August 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.casa.gov.au/airworth/airwd/ADfiles/under/beech18/BEECH18-017.pdf "CASA Airworthiness Directive No. AD/BEECH 18/17."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801104732/http://www.casa.gov.au/airworth/airwd/ADfiles/under/beech18/BEECH18-017.pdf |date=2008-08-01 }} ''CASA.'' Retrieved: 24 August 2008.</ref>

==Variants==

===Manufacturer models=== Unless otherwise noted, the engines fitted are Pratt & Whitney R-985 radials.

;Model 18A :First production model with seating for two pilots and seven or eight passengers, fitted with Wright R-760E-2 engines of {{convert|350|hp}}, MTOW: {{convert|6700|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="USAW"/><ref name="TC630"/> Four built.<ref name="pellp68">Pelletier 1995, p. 68</ref> * '''Model S18A''' :Version of Model 18A capable of being fitted with skis or Edo 55-7170 floats; MTOW: {{convert|7200|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="TC630">{{cite web |title=Aircraft Specification No. 630: Models Beechcraft 18A, S18A: Rev 3 |date=12 October 2016 |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |url=https://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/3370db12d8d78e63862581130062a883/$FILE/630_Rev_3.pdf |access-date=8 September 2022}}</ref>

;Model A18A :Version fitted with Wright R-760E-2 engines, MTOW: {{convert|7500|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="A684"/> * '''Model SA18A''' :Seaplane version of Model A18A, MTOW: {{convert|7170|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="A684"/>

;Model 18B :Version powered with {{convert|285|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Jacobs L-5 engines. Four built.<ref name="JM">McKillop, Jack. [http://www.microworks.net/pacific/aviation/jrb_expedition.htm "Beech JRB Expedition (sic), Beech SNB Kansan and Navigator".] ''microworks.ne.'' Retrieved: 28 August 2008.</ref><ref name="pellp68"/> * '''Model S18B''' :Version of Model 18B capable of being fitted with skis or floats.

;Model 18D :Variant with seating for two pilots and nine passengers, fitted with Jacobs L-6 engines of {{convert|330|hp}}, MTOW: {{convert|7200|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="A684">{{cite web |title=Aircraft Specification No. A-684: Hawker Beechcraft: 18D S18D, A18A, SA18A, A18D, SA18D : Rev3 |date=26 March 2007 |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |url=https://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/fe82bd8c829b79328625738c005d82b7/$FILE/A-684.pdf |access-date=8 August 2008 |archive-date=29 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029002340/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/fe82bd8c829b79328625738c005d82b7/$FILE/A-684.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Twelve aircraft built.<ref name="pellp68"/> * '''Model S18D''' :Version of Model 18D capable of being fitted with skis or {{citation needed span|Edo 55-7170 floats|date=September 2022}}, MTOW: {{convert|7170|lb|abbr=on}}<ref name="BHM">[http://www.beechcraftheritagemuseum.org/collection/CF-BKO.php "S18D."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524073550/http://www.beechcraftheritagemuseum.org/collection/CF-BKO.php |date=24 May 2008 }} ''Beechcraft Heritage Museum.'' Retrieved: 12 August 2008.</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2022}}<ref name="A684"/>

;Model A18D :Variant of 18D with MTOW increased by {{convert|300|lb|abbr=on}} to {{convert|7500|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name="A684"/> * '''Model SA18D''' :Seaplane version of Model A18D, but same MTOW as S18D.<ref name="A684"/>

;Model 18R :Model with Pratt and Whitney R-985{{citation needed span|-A1 engines with dual-stage blower for increased power at higher operating altitudes|date=September 2022}}, {{convert|420|hp}}, seven built, one to Sweden as an air ambulance, six to Nationalist China as M18R light bombers<ref name="AFB"/><ref name="pellp68"/>

;Model 18S :Nine-passenger pre-World War II civil variant, powered by {{convert|450|hp|kW|abbr=on}} served as basis for USAAF C-45C<ref name="TC710">{{cite web |title=Type Certification Data Sheet No. 710: 18S, B18S, Rev 3 |date=12 October 2016 |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |url=https://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/2628a114f1fb1ea0862581130064fe31/$FILE/710_Rev_3.pdf |access-date=9 September 2022 |archive-date=9 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909191639/https://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/2628a114f1fb1ea0862581130064fe31/$FILE/710_Rev_3.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

;Model B18S :Nine-passenger pre-World War II civil variant, served as basis for USAAF F-2<ref name="TC710"/>

;Model C18S :Variant of B18S with seating for eight passengers, and equipment and minor structural changes<ref name="A757">[http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library%5CrgMakeModel.nsf/0/BFEAD5E049630B308625738C006452B5/$FILE/A-757.pdf "Beech C18S Type Certificate."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170124200226/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library%5CrgMakeModel.nsf/0/BFEAD5E049630B308625738C006452B5/$FILE/A-757.pdf |date=24 January 2017 }} ''Federal Aviation Administration''. Retrieved: 12 August 2008.</ref>

;Model D18S :First post-World War II variant introduced in 1945, with seating for eight passengers and MTOW of {{convert|8750|lb|abbr=on}}, 1,035 built<ref name="A765"/><ref name="HBPL">[http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/service_support/pubs/docs/nontechnical/serializationList.pdf "Aircraft Serial Number Lists 1945–2008."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411082140/http://www.hawkerbeechcraft.com/service_support/pubs/docs/nontechnical/serializationList.pdf |date=2009-04-11 }} ''Hawker Beechcraft''. Retrieved: 8 August 2008.</ref>

;Model D18C :Variant with Continental R9-A engines of {{convert|525|hp}} and MTOW of {{convert|9000|lb|abbr=on}}, introduced in 1947, 31 built.<ref name="A765">[https://web.archive.org/web/20081029002324/http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library%5CrgMakeModel.nsf/0/906D00903D42CE7A8625738C006735E8/$FILE/A-765.pdf FAA Beech D18/E18/G18/H18 Series Type Certificate.]. Retrieved 8 August 2008.</ref><ref name="AL">[http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/stats.main?id=61 "Beech 18".] ''Airliners.net''. Retrieved: 8 August 2008.</ref>

;Model E18S thumb|A 3-view line drawing of a Model E18S :Variant with redesigned wing and MTOW of {{convert|9300|lb|abbr=on}}; 403 built<ref name="A765"/>

;Model E18S-9700 :Variant of E18S with MTOW of {{convert|9700|lb|abbr=on}}; 57 built<ref name="A765"/>

;Model G18S [[File:Beech Model 18 (reg N45CF) arrives Fairford 7Jul2016 arp.jpg|thumb|A Model G18S arriving at the 2016 RIAT, England ]] :Superseded E18S, MTOW of {{convert|9700|lb|abbr=on}}; 155 built<ref name="A765"/><ref name="HBPL"/>

;Model G18S-9150 :Lightweight version of G18, MTOW of {{convert|9150|lb|abbr=on}}; one built<ref name="A765"/><ref name="HBPL"/>

;Model H18 :Last production version, fitted with optional tricycle undercarriage developed by Volpar and MTOW of {{convert|9900|lb|abbr=on}}; 149 built, of which 109 were manufactured with tricycle undercarriage<ref name="BHM18S"/><ref name="A765"/><ref name="HBPL"/>

===Military versions=== ====USAAC/USAAF designations==== ;C-45 :Six-seat staff transport based on C18S;<ref name="A757"/> 11 built<ref name="American Warplane p7">Donald 1995, p. 7.</ref><ref name="Swan Mil p36">Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 36.</ref>

;C-45A :Eight-seat utility transport based on C18S;<ref name="A757"/> 20 built<ref name="American Warplane p7"/>

;RC-45A :Redesignation of all surviving F-2, F-2A, and F-2B aircraft by the USAF in 1948

;C-45B :Based on C18S, but with modified internal layout; 223 ordered, redesignated UC-45B in 1943<ref name="A757"/><ref name="Swan Mil p36"/> Equipped with a hatch in the cabin door for aerial photography.<ref>{{cite book |title=Handbook [of] Service and Maintenance Instructions: USAF Models C-45B, C-45F; Navy Models JRB-3, JRB-4 Aircraft |date=4 November 1947 |page=90B |url=http://app.aircorpslibrary.com/document/viewer/april12c45phar1}}</ref>

;C-45C :Two Model 18S aircraft impressed into the USAAF, redesignated UC-45C in January 1943<ref name="TC710"/><ref name="USAW">[http://www.uswarplanes.net/c45.html "USA Warplanes C-45 page."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512131227/http://www.uswarplanes.net/c45.html |date=2017-05-12 }} ''uswarplanes.net''. Retrieved 24 August 2008.</ref><ref name="USAAF42">Baugher, Joe. [http://www.joebaugher.com/1942.html "USAAF 1942 Serial Number List."]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers–1908 to Present''. Retrieved: 11 June 2011.</ref>

;C-45D :Designation given to two AT-7 aircraft converted as passenger transports during manufacture, redesignated UC-45D in January 1943<ref name="USAAF42"/><ref name="USAAF43">Baugher, Joe. [http://www.joebaugher.com/1943.html "USAAF 1943 Serial Number List."]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers–1908 to Present''. Retrieved: 11 June 2011.</ref> [[File:Barksdale Global Power Museum September 2015 18 (Beechcraft C-45F Expeditor).jpg|thumb|C-45F at the Barksdale Global Power Museum]] [[File:C45HcafAT7.JPG|thumb| C-45H/AT-7 CAF, Platte Valley Airpark, Hudson, Colorado, June 2007]] thumb|A cutaway view of a C-45H

;C-45E :Designation given to two AT-7 and four AT-7B aircraft converted as passenger transports during manufacture, redesignated UC-45E in January 1943<ref name="USAAF42"/><ref name="USAAF43"/>

;C-45F :Standardized seven-seat version based on C18S, with longer nose than preceding models;<ref name="A757"/> 1,137 ordered, redesignated UC-45F<ref name="Swan Mil p36"/>

;C-45G :AT-7s and AT-11s remanufactured in the early 1950s for the USAF to similar standard as civil D18S with autopilot and R-985-AN-3 engines; 372 aircraft rebuilt<ref name="BHM45"/><ref name="USAF51"/>

;TC-45G :Multiengine crew trainer variant of C-45G; AT-7s and AT-11s remanufactured in the early 1950s for the USAF to similar standard as civil D18S, 96 aircraft rebuilt<ref name="BHM45"/><ref name="USAF51">Baugher, Joe. [http://www.joebaugher.com/1951.html "USAF 1951 Serial Number List."]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers–1908 to Present''. Retrieved 11 June 2011.</ref> ;C-45H :AT-7s and AT-11s remanufactured in the early 1950s for the USAF to similar standard as civil D18S, with no autopilot and R-985-AN-14B engines; 432 aircraft rebuilt<ref name="BHM45"/><ref name="USAF52">Baugher, Joe. [http://www.joebaugher.com/1952.html "USAF 1952 Serial Number List."]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers–1908 to Present''. Retrieved: 24 August 2008.</ref>

;TC-45H <ref name="A765"/>

;RC-45J <ref name="A765"/> :In 1962, all surviving U.S. Navy SNB-5Ps were redesignated RC-45J{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=43}}

;TC-45J <ref name="A765"/> :In 1962 all surviving U.S. Navy SNB-5s were redesignated TC-45J{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=43}}

;UC-45J <ref name="A765"/> :Subsequent redesignation of RC-45J and TC-45J{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=43}} thumb|AT-11 at the Barksdale Global Power Museum thumb|A 3-view line drawing of an AT-11

;AT-7 Navigator :Navigation trainer based on C18S,<ref name="A757"/> with an astrodome and positions for three students, powered by 450-hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-25 engines; 577 built<ref name="American Warplane p7"/><ref name="Swan Mil p36"/>

;AT-7A :Floatplane version of AT-7; six built<ref name="American Warplane p7"/>

;AT-7B :Winterised AT-7; nine built<ref name="American Warplane p7"/>

;AT-7C :Based on C18S<ref name="A757"/> with R-985-AN3 engines; 549 built<ref name="American Warplane p7"/>

;AT-11 Kansan :Bombing and gunnery trainer for USAAF derived from AT-7, fuselage had small, circular cabin windows, bombardier position in nose, and bomb bay; gunnery trainers were also fitted with two or three .30-caliber machine guns, early models (the first 150 built) had a single .30-cal AN-M2 in a Beechcraft-manufactured top turret, later models used a Crocker Wheeler twin .30-cal top turret, a bottom tunnel gun was used for tail gunner training, 1,582 built for USAAF orders, with 24 ordered by Netherlands repossessed by USAAF and used by the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School at Jackson, Mississippi.<ref name="American Warplane p7-8">Donald 1995, pp. 7–8.</ref><ref name="Swan Mil p37">Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 37.</ref>

;AT-11A :Conversion of AT-11 as navigation trainer; 36 converted<ref name="Swan Mil p37"/>

;CQ-3 :Conversion of UC-45F, modified to act as drone control aircraft, redesignated as DC-45F in June 1948{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}} thumb|F-2s in Alaska, 1941 ;F-2 :Photo-reconnaissance version based on B18<ref name="TC710"/>

;F-2A :Improved version

;F-2B

====US Navy designations==== thumb|SNB-1 Kansan thumb|SNB-2 Navigator ;JRB-1 :Photographic aircraft, based on the C18S,<ref name="A757"/> fitted with fairing over cockpit for improved visibility, 11 obtained,<ref name="Swan Navy p41">Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 41.</ref> at least one conversion from impressed civil B18S<ref name=Baugher_1/>

;JRB-2 :Light transport, based on the C18S;<ref name="A757"/> 15 obtained,<ref name="Swan Navy p41"/> at least one conversion from JRB-1,<ref name=Baugher_9>{{cite web |url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries9.html |title=US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos, Third Series (80259 to 90019) |last=Baugher |first=Joe |date=12 June 2022 |website=joebaugher.com |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref> some transferred from USAAF C-45A stocks<ref name=Baugher_10>{{cite web |url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries10.html |title=US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos, Third Series (90020 to 99860) |last=Baugher |first=Joe |date=30 June 2022 |website=joebaugher.com |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>

;JRB-3 :Photographic version, similar to C-45B; 23 obtained,<ref name="Swan Navy p41"/> some transferred from USAAF C-45B stocks<ref name=Baugher_8/>

;JRB-4 :Utility transport version, equivalent to UC-45F;{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=41}} 328 obtained from USAAF<ref name=Baugher_5>{{cite web |url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries5.html |title=US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos, Third Series (39999 to 50359) |last=Baugher |first=Joe |date=18 August 2022 |website=joebaugher.com |access-date=23 August 2022 |archive-date=23 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823174127/http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries5.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=Baugher_7>{{cite web |title=US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos, Third Series (60010 to 70187)|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries7.html |last=Baugher |first=Joe |date=19 August 2022 |website=joebaugher.com |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref><ref name=Baugher_8>{{cite web |url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries8.html |title=US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos, Third Series (70188 to 80258) |last=Baugher |first=Joe |date=30 June 2022 |website=joebaugher.com |access-date=23 August 2022 |archive-date=6 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506012213/http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries8.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=44}}

;JRB-6 :Remanufactured JRB{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=43}}

;SNB-1 :Similar to AT-11;{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=42}} 110 built{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=44}}

;SNB-2 :Navigation trainer similar to AT-7,{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=42}} 299 built{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=44}}

;SNB-2C :Navigation trainer similar to AT-7C,{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=42}} 375 built{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=44}}

;SNB-2H :Ambulance conversion{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=42}}

;SNB-2P :Photo-reconnaissance trainer conversion{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=42}}

;SNB-3Q :Electronic countermeasures trainer conversion{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=42}}

;SNB-5 <ref name="A765"/> :Remanufactured SNB{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=43}}<ref name=Baugher_7/> or JRB<ref name=Baugher_6>{{cite web |url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries6.html |title=US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos, Third Series (50360 to 60009) |last=Baugher |first=Joe |date=18 August 2022 |website=joebaugher.com |access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>

;SNB-5P <ref name="A765"/> :Remanufactured SNB-2P{{sfn|Swanborough|Bowers|1976|p=43}}

====RAF/RCAF Lend-lease designations==== ;Expeditor I: C-45Bs supplied to the RAF under Lend-Lease ;Expeditor II: C-45Fs supplied to the RAF and Royal Navy under Lend-Lease thumb|RAF C-45 Expeditor HB260 of the Allied Control Commission, Bulgaria, 1945. ;Expeditor III: C-45Fs supplied to the RCAF under Lend-Lease

====Post-war RCAF designations==== C-45Ds delivered between 1951 and 1952<ref>"RCAF Data Record Cards 1426 CA-1 to 1594 CA-280". ''RCAF''.</ref> ;Expeditor 3N: navigation trainer – 88 built<ref name="A76548"/><div id="1"></div> ;Expeditor 3NM: navigational trainer that could be converted to a transport – 59 built<ref>For the particular breakdown of each model for the RCAF, Refer to RCAF Data Record Cards CA-1 to CA-280.</ref> ;Expeditor 3NMT: 3NM converted to a transport aircraft – 67 built<ref>"EO 05-45B-6A/130." ''RCAF'', 10 March 1959.</ref> ;Expeditor 3NMT(Special): navigation trainer/personnel transport – 19 built<ref>"EO 05-45B-2 Description and Maintenance Instructions Expeditor 3." ''RCAF'', 12 September 1967, p. I-1.</ref> ;Expeditor 3TM: transport with fittings so it could be converted to a navigation trainer – 44 built<ref name="A76548">"FAA Type Certificate A-765 (Beech D18/E18/G18/H18 Series)." ''Federal Aviation Administration'', p. 48.</ref> ;Expeditor 3TM(Special): modified RCAF Expeditors used overseas in conjunction with Project WPB6 – three built<ref>"EO 05-45B-1 Aircraft Operating Instructions." ''RCAF'', 26 September 1966, Supplement B, p. 2.</ref>

====Canadian Armed Forces==== ;CT-128 Expeditor: 1968 redesignation of existing RCAF aircraft upon unification of the Canadian Armed Forces

====Brazilian Air Force designations==== ;U-45 :Designation for the C-45.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brazilian Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://www.designation-systems.net/non-us/brazil.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

====Royal Thai Air Force designations==== ;B.L.1 :({{langx|th|บ.ล.๑}}) designation for the C-45B and C-45F.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

===Conversions=== thumb|PacAero Tradewind

;Conrad 9800 :Modification increasing the gross weight to 9,800 pounds with a single piece windshield <ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sweeney |first=Richard |date=December 1960 |title=Conrad 9800 |magazine=Flying |pages=48, 49, 102 }}</ref> ;Dumod I : Executive conversion with Volpar tricycle landing gear, new wing tips, enlarged fight deck and refurbished 6–7 seat cabin with larger windows. Originally named '''Infinité I'''. 37 converted by 1966.<ref name="jawa67 p250">Taylor 1967, p. 250.</ref> ;Dumod Liner :Stretched airliner conversion. Similar to Dumod I but with forward fuselage stretched by {{convert|6|ft|3|in}}, allowing up to 15 passengers to be carried. Originally named '''Infinité II'''.<ref name="jawa67 p250"/> ;Hamilton HA-1 :conversion of a TC-45J aircraft ;Hamilton Little Liner :Modification of D18S with aerodynamic improvements and new, retractable tailwheel, capable of carrying 11 seats<ref name="JAWA65 p280">Taylor 1965, p. 280.</ref> ;Hamilton Westwind :Turboprop conversions with various engines thumb|Hamilton Westwind III conversion at an airfield in Tennessee ;Hamilton Westwind II STD: Stretched conversion powered by two 840-hp PT6As, and with accommodation for up to 17 passengers<ref name="JAWA76 p300">Taylor 1976, p. 300.</ref> ;Hamilton Westwind III:two 579-hp PT6A-20s or 630-hp PT6A-27s or 630-hp Lycoming LTS101s. ;Hamilton Westwind IV:two 570-hp Lycoming LTP101s or 680-hp PT6A-28s or 750-hp PT6A-34s or 1020-hp PT6A-45s ;PacAero Tradewind :Conversion of Beech D18S/C-45 to five- to 11-seat executive transport with single fin by Pacific Airmotive ;Rausch Star 250 :Built as C-45F 44-47231, this aircraft was re-manufactured at Wichita by Beech in 1952, to become TC-45G 51-11544. From 1959 Rausch Engineering Inc. of South San Francisco, California, converted N8186H to tricycle undercarriage, using forward retracting main gear from a P-51 and rearward-retracting nose-leg from a T-28, adding a {{cvt|3|ft|2}} nose extension, {{cvt|4|ft|2}} rear fuselage extension, re-roofed fuselage for increased headroom and enlarged cabin windows. The modifications did not obtain FAA certification despite 58 hours of flight testing, with the aircraft eventually being broken up at Antioch, CA, in 1978.<ref name="aerofiles Ra">{{cite web |url=http://aerofiles.com/_ra.html |title=American airplanes: ra - ri |publisher=Aerofiles.com |date=18 January 2009 |access-date=2011-03-16}}</ref> ;SFERMA-Beechcraft PD.18S :Modification of Beech 18S powered by two Turboméca Bastan turboprops<ref name="jawa61p67">Taylor 1982, p. 67.</ref> ;Volpar (Beechcraft) Model 18 :Conversion of Model 18 with nosewheel undercarriage<ref name="JAWA 65 p316">Taylor 1965, p. 316.</ref><ref name="JAWA 82-3 p483">Taylor 1982, p. 483.</ref> ;Volpar (Beechcraft) Super 18: ;Volpar (Beechcraft) Turbo 18:Beech Model 18s fitted with the Volpar MkIV tricycle undercarriage and powered by two 705-hp Garrett TPE331-1-101B turboprop engines, flat-rated to {{convert|605|hp|kW|abbr=on}}, driving Hartzell HC-B3TN-5 three-bladed, reversible-pitch, constant-speed feathering propellers<ref name="JAWA 82-3 p483"/> ;Volpar (Beechcraft) Super Turbo 18 :2x {{convert|705|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Garrett TPE331 ;Volpar (Beechcraft) C-45G :C-45G aircraft modified with tricycle undercarriage ;Volpar (Beechcraft) Turboliner : 15-passenger version of the Turbo 18 with extended fuselage, powered by 2 705-hp Garrett TPE331-1-101Bs<ref name="JAWA 82-3 p484">Taylor 1982, p. 484.</ref> ;Volpar (Beechcraft) Turboliner II :Turboliners modified to meet SFAR 23<ref name="JAWA 82-3 p484"/>

==Operators==

===Civil=== {{As of|2012}}, the Beechcraft Model 18 remains popular with air charter companies and small feeder airlines worldwide.

===Military=== {{acopmap|Beechcraft Model 18|Military Model 18 operators}} [[File:Beechcraft C45 4-G-14.jpg|thumb|Argentine Navy C-45]] thumb|Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor in RCAF Air Transport Command markings [[File:Swiss Air Force Beechcraft Model 18.jpg|thumb|C-45 as used by the Swiss Air Force for civilian aerial photography missions]] thumb|Beechcraft Model D18S of the Indonesian National Police [[File:UC-45J BuNo.89484.jpg|thumb|UC-45J BuNo.89484 of the now defunct Military Air Transport Service]] [[File:ROCAF Beech AT-11 in Military Airplanes Display Area 20111015.jpg|thumb|ROC Air Force AT-11]] [[File:Beech C-45H Expeditor USAF.jpg|thumb|Beech 18/C-45 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force]] thumb|Beechcraft UC-45F in flight [[File:SNB-4（6428）.JPG|thumb|Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force SNB-4]] ;{{Flag|Argentina}} * Argentine Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p3a">Bridgman 1951, p. 3a.</ref> * Argentine Naval Aviation<ref name="jawa51 p3a"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.histarmar.org/Armada%20Argentina/AviacionNaval/Trans-BeechAT11.htm |title=AVIONES DE TRANSPORTE DE LA AVIACION NAVAL - "BEECHCRAFT AT11" |website=Histarmar - Historia y Arqueologia Marítima |publisher=Fundación Histarmar |language= es |access-date=2 May 2015 }}</ref> ;{{Flag|Bolivia}} * Bolivian Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p4a">Bridgman 1951, p. 4a.</ref> ;{{Flag|Brazil}} * Brazilian Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p4a"/> ;{{flag|Canada|1921}} * Royal Canadian Air Force 394 examples from 1941 to 1972<ref name=GriffinP>Griffin 1969, pp. 5–6.</ref> * Royal Canadian Navy 10 examples from 1952 to 1960<ref>Pettipas 1986, pp. 42–43.</ref> ** VX-10 Squadron{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} ** VU-32 Squadron<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadianwings.com/Squadrons/squadronDetail.php?Utility-Squadron-VU-32-107 |title=Utility Squadron VU 32 |year=2012 |work=AEROWAREdesigns |access-date=12 May 2022 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806145622/http://www.canadianwings.com/Squadrons/squadronDetail.php?Utility-Squadron-VU-32-107 |archive-date=6 August 2012}}</ref> * Canadian Armed Forces ;{{Flag|Chile}} * Chilean Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p6a">Bridgman 1951, p. 6a.</ref> * Chilean Army * Chilean Navy ;{{Flag|Colombia}} * Colombian Air Force<ref name="pellp812">Pelletier 1995, pp. 81–82.</ref> ;{{Flag|Costa Rica}} * Public Force of Costa Rica<ref name="pellp82">Pelletier 1995, p. 82.</ref> ;{{Flag|Côte d'Ivoire}}<ref name="pellp83">Pelletier 1995, p. 83.</ref> ;{{Flag|Cuba|1902}} * Cuban Air Force - received two AT-7s, two AT-11s, a F-2B and a UC-45F in 1947<ref>Hagedorn 1993, p. 16</ref> ;{{Flag|Dominican Republic}} * Dominican Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p7a">Bridgman 1951, p. 7a.</ref> ;{{Flag|Ecuador}} * Ecuadorian Air Force<ref name="pellp82"/> ;{{Flag|El Salvador}} * Salvadoran Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p17a">Bridgman 1951, p. 17a.</ref> ;{{Flag|France}} * French Air Force<ref name="pellp82"/> * French Naval Aviation<ref name="pellp82"/> ;{{Flag|Guatemala}} * Guatemalan Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p11a">Bridgman 1951, p. 11a.</ref> ;{{Flag|Haiti}} * Haiti Air Corps<ref name="jawa51 p11a"/> ;{{Flag|Honduras}} * Honduran Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p12a">Bridgman 1951, p. 12a.</ref> ;{{Flag|Indonesia}} * Indonesian Army<ref name="pellp82"/> * Indonesian National Police<ref name="pellp82"/> ;{{Flag|Iran}} ;{{Flag|Italy}} * Italian Air Force operated 125 aircraft from 1949 until the 1970s<ref>[http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/italy/af/ital-af2-all-time.htm "Italian Air Force."] ''aeroflight''. Retrieved: 17 December 2014.</ref> ;{{Flag|Japan}} * Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force * Japan Coast Guard ;{{Flag|Mexico}} * Mexican Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p14a">Bridgman 1951, p. 14a.</ref> * Mexican Navy<ref name="pellp83"/> ;{{Flag|Netherlands}} * Royal Netherlands Air Force<ref name="pellp83"/> * Dutch Naval Aviation Service<ref name="pellp83"/> ;{{Flag|Nicaragua}} * Nicaraguan Air Force<ref name="pellp83"/> ;{{Flag|Niger}} * Niger Air Force<ref name="pellp83"/> ;{{Flag|Nigeria}} ;{{Flag|Paraguay}} * Paraguayan Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p16a">Bridgman 1951, p. 16a.</ref> ;{{Flag|Peru}} * Peruvian Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p16a"/> ;{{Flag|Philippines|1936}} * Philippine Army Air Corps<ref name="pellp83"/> ;{{Flag|Portugal}} * Forca Aerea Portuguesa<ref name="pellp84">Pelletier 1995, p. 84.</ref> * Portuguese Navy<ref name="pellp84"/> ;{{Flag|Somalia}} * Somali Air Force<ref name="pellp84"/> – Withdrawn in 1991 ;{{Flag|South Africa}} * South African Air Force ;{{flag|South Vietnam}} * Republic of Vietnam Air Force<ref>Mesko 1981, p. 1.</ref> ;{{Flag|Spain}} ;{{Flag|Sri Lanka}} * Sri Lanka Air Force<ref name="pellp84"/> ;{{Flag|Sweden}} * Swedish Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p19a">Bridgman 1951, p. 19a.</ref> ;{{Flag|Switzerland}} * Swiss Air Force ;{{Flag|Taiwan}} * Republic of China Air Force<ref name="pellp81">Pelletier 1995, p. 81.</ref> ;{{Flag|Thailand}} * Royal Thai Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p20a">Bridgman 1951, p. 20a.</ref> ;{{Flag|Tonga}} * Tongan Air Wing ;{{Flag|Turkey}} * Turkish Air Force<ref name="jawa51 p20a"/> ;{{Flag|United Kingdom}} * Royal Air Force<ref name="pellp82"/> * Royal Navy – Fleet Air Arm<ref name="pellp82"/> 76 Lend-Lease{{sfn|Thetford|1991|p=404}} ** 701 Naval Air Squadron ** 712 Naval Air Squadron ** 723 Naval Air Squadron ** 724 Naval Air Squadron ** 728 Naval Air Squadron ** 730 Naval Air Squadron ** 739 Naval Air Squadron ** 742 Naval Air Squadron ** 755 Naval Air Squadron ** 781 Naval Air Squadron ** 782 Naval Air Squadron ** 791 Naval Air Squadron ;{{Flag|United States}} * United States Army ** United States Army Air Corps ** United States Army Air Forces * United States Air Force * United States Coast Guard<ref name=uscg/><ref name=Baugher_cg/> ** United States Coast Guard Reserve<ref name=Baugher_cg/> * United States Marine Corps * United States Navy ;{{Flag|Uruguay}} * Uruguayan Air Force<ref name="pellp845">Pelletier 1995, pp. 84–85.</ref> ;{{Flag|Venezuela}} * Venezuelan Air Force<ref name="pellp85">Pelletier 1995, p. 85.</ref> ;{{ZAI}} * Zairian Air Force<ref name="pellp85"/>

==Accidents and incidents== The Beechcraft Model 18 family has been involved in the following notable accidents and incidents: * 25 April 1951: Cubana de Aviación Flight 493, a Douglas DC-4 bound from Miami to Havana, registration ''CU-T188'', collided with a U.S. Navy SNB-1, bureau number ''39939'', on a practice instrument approach to Naval Air Station Key West. The collision and ensuing crashes killed all 34 passengers and five crew aboard the DC-4 and all five crew aboard the SNB. The accident occurred at midday, weather was clear with unlimited visibility, and both flight crews had been cleared to fly under visual flight rules, being expected to "see and avoid" other aircraft; the student flying the SNB was wearing view-limiting goggles, but the other SNB crew were not, and were expected to keep watch. Ground witnesses said that neither aircraft took evasive action prior to the collision, and the Civil Aeronautics Board attributed the accident to the failure of both flight crews to see and avoid conflicting air traffic.<ref name=CAB_493>{{cite report |title=Investigation of Aircraft Accident: COMPANIA CUBANA DE AVIACION AND U.S. NAVY: KEY WEST, FLORIDA: 1951-04-25 |url=https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/33414 |publisher=Civil Aeronautics Board |date=22 October 1951 |docket=F-104-51 |access-date=18 January 2022 }}</ref> * 1967: Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden was killed in the crash of a Beechcraft 18 in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bin Laden plane crash: aircraft went down in near perfect conditions |last=Doward |first=Jamie |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/aug/01/aviation-experts-bin-laden-plane-crash-cause |date=2 August 2015 |access-date=20 October 2022}}</ref> * 10 December 1967: American soul music singer Otis Redding, four members of his backing band the Bar-Kays, the pilot, and another member of Redding's entourage were killed in the crash of Redding's H18, registration ''N390R'', into Lake Monona on approach to Truax Field in Wisconsin. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was unable to determine the cause of the crash, noting that the left engine and propeller were not recovered.<ref name="ntsb_redding">{{cite report|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/15/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=15906&key=0 |title=NTSB Identification: CHI68A0053 |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |access-date=17 January 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |agency=United Press International | title=Singer Is Feared Dead In Air Crash |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1967/12/11/84804959.html?zoom=15.14 |work=The New York Times |location=New York City |date=11 December 1967 }}</ref> Trumpet player Ben Cauley, the sole survivor of the crash, subsequently revived the Bar-Kays together with another band member who was aboard a different aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press | title=Ben Cauley, Sole Survivor of Otis Redding Plane Crash, Dies at 67 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/25/arts/music/ben-cauley-sole-survivor-of-otis-redding-crash-dies-at-67.html |url-access=limited |work=The New York Times |location=New York City |date=15 September 2015 }}</ref> * 20 September 1973: American folk rock singer-songwriter Jim Croce, four members of his entourage, and the pilot were killed when their chartered E18S, registration ''N50JR'', crashed into a tree shortly after takeoff from Natchitoches Regional Airport in Louisiana.<ref name=rstrap>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=py1OAAAAIBAJ&pg=5658%2C2870135 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Recording star, 5 others killed in crash of plane |date=22 September 1973 |page=9}}</ref><ref name=AP>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2706&dat=19730922&id=NxZKAAAAIBAJ&pg=2941,1273229 |newspaper=The Michigan Daily |title=Rock group killed |agency=Associated Press |date=22 September 1973 |page=2 |location=Ann Arbor}}</ref><ref name="ntsb_croce"/> The NTSB attributed the accident to reduced visibility due to fog, and to physical impairment of the pilot, who had severe coronary artery disease and had run {{cvt|3|mi|km}} to the airport.<ref name="ntsb_croce">{{cite report|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/brief.aspx?ev_id=84416&key=0 |title=NTSB Identification: FTW74AF017; 14 CFR Part 135 Nonscheduled operation of Robert Airways; Aircraft: Beech E18S, registration: N50JR |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |access-date=17 January 2022 }}</ref> An investigation conducted for a lawsuit against the charter company attributed the accident solely to pilot error, citing his downwind takeoff into a "black hole" of severe darkness, causing him to experience spatial disorientation.<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Croce v. Bromley Corporation |vol=623 |reporter=F.2d |opinion=1084 |pinpoint= |court=5th Cir. |date=1980 |url=http://openjurist.org/623/f2d/1084/croce-v-bromley-corporation |access-date=17 January 2022 |quote=The plaintiffs' expert medical witness testified at length that spatial disorientation resulting from the pilot's taking off into a "black hole" was the cause of the crash. See n.12, supra. This theory was buttressed by the testimony of Asher Vandenberg, a commercial, multiengine pilot with instrument ratings.}}</ref> * 26 September 1978: Air Caribbean Flight 309, an air taxi flight by a D18S, registration ''N500L'', crashed on approach to Isla Verde International Airport in Puerto Rico, killing the pilot and the five passengers aboard the aircraft and causing substantial property damage and injuries to bystanders on the ground. The pilot could not communicate with approach control and was following directions relayed by local tower controllers, who told the pilot to make a turn and maintain separation from a Lockheed L-1011 that was overtaking the flight, but the pilot did not turn, and the D18S passed underneath and very close to the L-1011. Both the NTSB and a U.S. District Court ruling attributed the crash to the D18S pilot's failure to correctly follow visual flight rules and air traffic control instructions to maintain separation from the much larger L-1011, causing a loss of aircraft control due to wake turbulence.<ref name=NTSB_309>{{cite report |title=NTSB Identification: DCA78AA024 |url=https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/brief.aspx?ev_id=39969&key=0 |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |access-date=17 January 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants=In Re N-500L Cases |vol=517 |reporter=F. Supp. |opinion=825 |pinpoint= |court=D.P.R. |date=1981 |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/517/825/2387664/ |access-date=17 January 2022 |quote= The Court finds that the pilot of N-500L was responsible, in the VFR flight conditions which existed on the night of the accident, to visualize and to avoid wake turbulence of EAL 75. By continuing into the flight path of EAL 75 the pilot of N-500L was negligent and this negligence was a proximate cause of the crash.}}</ref> A contributing factor was the pilot's difficulties in communication with controllers.<ref name=NTSB_309/> * 4 July 1987: Ten people, including all then-current members of The Montana Band, were killed when the pilot of their chartered D18S, ''N132E'',<ref name=ntsb_montana/> failed to clear a hillside near Lakeside, Montana, while performing a flypast of the venue where the band had performed earlier.<ref>{{cite web|author1=UPI|title=Montana Air Crash Kills Band|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/07/06/montana-air-crash-kills-band/|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=25 March 2017|language=en|date=6 July 1987|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221208191414/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-07-06-8702190223-story.html|archive-date= 8 December 2022|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Thornton|first1=Anthony|title=Band's Plane Goes Down; 3 Sooners Die|url=http://newsok.com/article/2191512/bands-plane-goes-down-3-sooners-die|website=NewsOK.com|access-date=27 April 2017|date=6 July 1987|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190501232817/http://newsok.com/article/2191512/bands-plane-goes-down-3-sooners-die|archive-date= 1 May 2019|url-status= dead}}</ref> The pilot performed an "abrupt" climb and performed a "hammerhead stall" maneuver, reversing direction and entering a dive. The accident was attributed to the pilot's poor judgment and failure to maintain altitude during unauthorized attempted aerobatics.<ref name=ntsb_montana>{{cite report|url=https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20001213X31495&AKey=1&RType=Final&IType=MA |title=National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Final Report |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |docket=DEN87MA168 |date=24 February 1989|access-date=31 December 2022 }}</ref>

==Aircraft on display== ===Argentina=== * 3495 – AT-11A at the Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina in Buenos Aires.{{Cn|date=September 2024}} * 5621 – C-45H at the Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina in Buenos Aires.{{Cn|date=September 2024}} * AF-555 – C-45H at the Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina in Buenos Aires.{{Cn|date=September 2024}} * c/no. BA-752 (former LV-JFH) – H18S at the Museo Nacional de Aeronáutica de Argentina in Buenos Aires.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

===Australia=== * c/no. BA-81 (former N3781B) – E18S at the Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra, Queensland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qam.com.au/portfolio/beech-e18s-n3781b-cn-ba-81/ |title=BEECH E18S N3781B C/N BA-81) |publisher=Queensland Air Museum Inc. |access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref>

===Belgium=== * c/no CA-191 (former C-FGNR) – 3NM at Pairi Daiza.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luchtvaarterfgoed.be/content/rallye-tomahawk-beech-18-pairi-daiza |title=Rallye, Tomahawk en Beech 18 in Pairi Daiza |trans-title=Rallye, Tomahawk and Beech 18 in Pairi Daiza |language=nl |website=luchtvaarterfgoed.be |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=16 October 2016}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=Website seems to be self-published|date=October 2016}}

===Brazil=== * 4615 – AT-11 at the Museu Aeroespacial in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|title=KANSAN - BEECHCRAFT AT-11 - BEECH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION|url=http://www2.fab.mil.br/musal/index.php/anvs/201-at-11|website=Museu Aerospacial|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * 2856 – C-45F at the Museu Aeroespacial in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|title=EXECUTIVE - BEECHCRAFT D18S (C-45) - BEECH AIRCRAFT CORPORATION|url=http://www2.fab.mil.br/musal/index.php/anvs/203-d18s|website=Museu Aeroespacial|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref>

===Canada=== * 459 – C-45H at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Tail code CF-MJY<ref>{{cite web|title=Beech C-45 CF-MJY|url=http://www.bushplane.com/index.php?id=aircraft-beechc45|website=Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * 8034 – 3TM at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.{{Cn|date=September 2024}} * c/no. A-141 (former CF-MPH) – D18S at the RCMP Academy, Depot Division in Regina, Saskatchewan.<ref name="goodall2">{{cite web|last1=Goodall|first1=Geoff|title=PART 2: BEECH D18S/ D18C & RCAF EXPEDITER Mk.3|url=http://goodall.com.au/beech18-production/beech18-part-2.pdf|website=Geoff Goodall's Aviation History Site|publisher=Geoffrey Goodall|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * c/no. A-142 (former CF-MPI) – D18S at the Bomber Command Museum of Canada in Nanton, Alberta.<ref name="goodall2" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Beechcraft-18 Expeditor|url=http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/expeditor.html|website=Bomber Command Museum of Canada|access-date=21 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614070813/http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/expeditor.html|archive-date=14 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> * c/no. A-156 – D18S at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario.<ref>{{cite web|title=BEECHCRAFT EXPEDITOR|url=http://www.warplane.com/vintage-aircraft-collection/aircraft-history.aspx?aircraftId=5|website=Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum|access-date=7 July 2015}}</ref> * c/no. A-652 (former RCAF 1477) – 3N at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba.<ref name="goodall2" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Beech Expeditor, RCAF 1477|url=http://wcam.mb.ca/893/beech-expeditor|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160927214208/http://wcam.mb.ca/893/beech-expeditor|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 September 2016|website=Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * c/no. A-700 – 3NMT at the Canadian Air Land Sea Museum at Toronto/Markham Airport in Markham, Ontario.<ref name="goodall2" /> * c/no. A-710 – 3NM at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador.<ref name="goodall2" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Beechcraft 18-s|url=http://northatlanticaviationmuseum.com/beechcraft-18-s|website=North Atlantic Aviation Museum|date=15 September 2013 |access-date=7 July 2015}}</ref> * c/no. A-782 (former CF-CKT) – 3NMT at the Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley, British Columbia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beechcraft 3NMT Expeditor|url=http://www.canadianflight.org/content/beechcraft-3nmt-expeditor|website=The Canadian Museum of Flight|publisher=Canadian Museum of Flight|access-date=7 July 2015}}</ref> * c/no. A-872 – 3NMT at the TransCanada Highway in Ignace, Ontario.<ref name="goodall2" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Leeuw|first1=Ruud|title=Bushplanes at Ignace, Ontario|url=http://www.ruudleeuw.com/canada07-ignace.htm|website=RuudLeeuw.com|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * c/no. A-895 – 3NM at the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton, Alberta.<ref name="goodall2" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Beech D18S-3NM Expeditor (1952)|url=http://www.albertaaviationmuseum.com/Aircraft/Beech_D18S-3NM_Expeditor_(1952)#!beech_d185|website=Alberta Aviation Museum|access-date=7 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707192925/http://www.albertaaviationmuseum.com/Aircraft/Beech_D18S-3NM_Expeditor_(1952)#!beech_d185|archive-date=7 July 2015}}</ref> * c/no. 92-074 – 3NM at The Hangar Flight Museum in Calgary, Alberta.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BEECHCRAFT D18S EXPEDITOR MK.3NM {{!}} The Hangar Flight Museum |url=https://thehangarmuseum.ca/our-collections/beechcraft-d18s-expeditor-mk3nm |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=thehangarmuseum.ca}}</ref>

===Chile=== * c/no. A-1024 (former FACh 465) – D18S at the Museo Aeronautico y del Espacio in Santiago, Chile.<ref>{{cite web|title=BEECHCRAFT D-18S|url=http://www.museoaeronautico.gob.cl/espanol/pop-ficha.php?id=302|website=Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707202529/http://www.museoaeronautico.gob.cl/espanol/pop-ficha.php?id=302|archive-date=7 July 2015}}</ref>

===India=== * VT-CNY – D18S former aircraft of the Raja of Mayurbhanj and later sold to Coal India Limited- at the Hotel Mayfair Lagoon in Bhubaneswar, Orissa.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beech 18 in Bhubaneswar|url=http://warbirdsofindia.com/orissa/308-beech18.html|website=Warbirds of India|access-date=31 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309025714/http://warbirdsofindia.com/orissa/308-beech18.html|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Italy=== * 6668 – C-45F suspended inside the Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport passenger terminal in Olbia, Sardinia.<ref name="goodall1" /> This was the first aircraft owned by Alisarda Airlines and was used in the filming of the movie ''The Last Emperor''.<ref>{{cite web|title=I-SARE Project - Flying Again|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ3BrvJ3Vcw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211110/CJ3BrvJ3Vcw| archive-date=2021-11-10 | url-status=live|website=YouTube| date=15 July 2012 |access-date=31 March 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Japan=== * 'JA5174' – H18 the final Beech 18 produced (c/n BA-765), delivered January 1970 to Miyazaki Aviation College, Japan. In use until 1988, now preserved at the College, Miyazaki Airport.<ref name="BA-765"/>

===Malta=== * 8304 – C-45H under restoration at the Malta Aviation Museum in Ta' Qali, Malta.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beechcraft 18S N495F|url=http://www.maltaaviationmuseum.com/#!beechcraft-18s-n495f/c19zv|website=Malta Aviation Museum|publisher=Malta Aviation Museum Foundation|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Mexico === * "ETL-1320" (S/N): 18 – UC-45J at the Museo Militar de Aviación.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

===Netherlands=== * 51-11665 – C-45G at the Aviodrome in Lelystad, Netherlands.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

===New Zealand=== * 3691 – AT-11 at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wesley|first1=Richard|title=Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan|url=http://motataircraft.blogspot.ca/2007/12/beechcraft-at-11-kansan.html|website=MOTAT Aircraft Collection|publisher=Blogger|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=A blog is not a reliable source|date=October 2016}}<ref>{{cite web|last1=MOTAT|title=Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan ZK-AHO|url=https://collection.motat.nz/objects/59/aircraft-beechcraft-at-11-kansan-zk-aho|access-date=24 February 2025}}</ref>

===Portugal=== * 2504 – AT-11 at the Museu do Ar in Sintra, Portugal.<ref name="goodall1" /> * 2506 – AT-11 at the Parque do Avião in Leiria, Portugal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parque do Avião - Portugal With Kids |url=https://portugalwithkids.pt/place/parque-do-aviao |access-date=2025-04-02 |language=pt-pt}}</ref>

===Spain=== * AF-752 – C-45H at Fundación Infante de Orleans in Madrid, Spain.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beechcraft C-45|url=http://crmr.fio.es/cole/C-45/C-45.html|website=Fundación Infante de Orleans|access-date=31 March 2016|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703140954/http://crmr.fio.es/cole/C-45/C-45.html|archive-date=3 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Turkey=== * 6390/9-930 – AT-11 at Istanbul Aviation Museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/Europe/Turkey/Istanbul/Yesilkoymuseum.htm|title=Hava Kuvvetleri Muzesi Komutanligi (Turkish Air Force Museum) - Yesilkoy - Istanbul - Turkey|work=aviationmuseum.eu|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref>

===United Kingdom=== * G-ASUG c/no. BA-111 – E18S at the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian, Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beech E-18S|url=http://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-flight/discover-the-museum/our-aircraft/civil-aircraft/beech|website=National Museums Scotland|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref>

===United States=== * 41-27561 – AT-11 at the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beech AT-11 Kansan|url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196295/beech-at-11-kansan/|website=National Museum of the US Air Force|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=AIRCRAFT, DRONES AND MISSILES AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE|url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Portals/7/documents/other/nmusaf_alpha_aircraft_list.pdf|website=National Museum of the US Air Force|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref> ''or'' 42-37493<ref name="goodall1" /> * 41-27616 – AT-11B at the Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center at Travis AFB, California.<ref name="goodall1">{{cite web|last1=Goodall|first1=Geoff|title=PREWAR CIVIL BEECH 18 PRODUCTION and CIVILIANISED WWII MILITARY PRODUCTION ( AT-7/ AT-11 / C-45 / SNB- / JRB- / Expediter )|url=http://www.goodall.com.au/beech18-production/beech18-part-1.pdf|website=Geoff Goodall's Aviation History Site|publisher=Geoffrey Goodall|access-date=31 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Outdoor Exhibits - AT-11 "Kansan"|url=https://travisheritagecenter.org/html/at11.html|website=Travis Heritage Center|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-date=24 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324032838/https://travisheritagecenter.org/html/at11.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 42-36887 – AT-11 at the Barksdale Global Power Museum in Bossier City, Louisiana.{{Cn|date=September 2024}} * 42-37240 – AT-11 at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, Texas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aircraft Status|url=http://www.lsfm.org/aircraftstatus.html|website=Lone Star Flight Museum|access-date=31 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105222515/http://www.lsfm.org/aircraftstatus.html|archive-date=5 November 2014}}</ref> * 42-37496 – UC-45 at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Denver, Colorado. This aircraft was originally an AT-11 before being remanufactured.<ref>{{cite web|title=1943 UC-45 Expeditor|url=http://wingsmuseum.org/1943-uc-45-expeditor|website=Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-date=12 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312182357/http://wingsmuseum.org/1943-uc-45-expeditor/|url-status=dead}}</ref>  * 44-47342 – UC-45F at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum in Anchorage, Alaska.<ref>{{cite web|title=1944 Beechcraft 18S S/N 7728 AFSN 44-4734 N1047B|url=http://www.alaskaairmuseum.org/#!1944-beechcraft/c23bm|website=Alaska Aviation Museum|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * 51-11467 – C-45G at the EAA Chapter 1241 Air Museum at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport in Marathon, Florida.<ref>{{cite web|title=Expeditor at the museum in Marathon FL|url=https://travelforaircraft.wordpress.com/2015/06/05/expeditor-at-the-museum-in-marathon-fl-write|website=Travel for Aircraft|date=5 June 2015 |publisher=Wordpress|access-date=13 January 2019}}</ref> * 51-11529 – TC-45H at the Tri-State Warbird Museum in Batavia, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=7826L|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=7 July 2015|archive-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707182632/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=7826L|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 51-11696 – C-45H at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beech C-45H Expeditor|url=https://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/beech-c-45h-expeditor|website=The Museum of Flight|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * 51-11795 – C-45G at the Air Mobility Command Museum in Dover, Delaware.<ref>{{cite web|title=C-45G Expeditor|url=http://amcmuseum.org/at-the-museum/aircraft/c-45g-expeditor|website=Air Mobility Command Museum|publisher=AMC Museum Foundation, Inc.|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * 51-11897 – C-45G at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beech Aircraft Company C-45G Expeditor (USA)|url=http://www.castleairmuseum.org/beech_expeditor.html|website=Castle Air Museum|publisher=Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc.|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106042957/http://www.castleairmuseum.org/beech_expeditor.html|archive-date=6 January 2013}}</ref> * 52-10539 – C-45H at the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum in Geneseo, New York.<ref>{{cite web|title=C-45H|url=http://www.1941hag.org/c_45.html|website=National Warplane Museum|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * 52-10865 – C-45H at the Travis Air Force Base Heritage Center at Travis AFB, California.<ref>{{cite web|title=Outdoor Exhibits - C-45H "Expeditor"|url=https://travisheritagecenter.org/html/c45h.html|website=Travis Heritage Center|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-date=14 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314034755/https://travisheritagecenter.org/html/c45h.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 52-10893 – C-45H at the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beech C-45H Expeditor|url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195810/beech-c-45h-expeditor/|website=National Museum of the US Air Force|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> * 09771 – UC-45J at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. This aircraft was converted from the last civil Beech 18 built prior to WWII.<ref name=Baugher_1/> * 51225 – UC-45J gate guard at Commemorative Air Force Lone Star Wing, Harrison County Airport (Texas).{{Cn|date=September 2024}} * 23774 – UC-45J at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas.<ref name="goodall1" /> * 51233 – RC-45J at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, Tennessee.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beechcraft SNB Specifications|url=http://tnairmuseum.com/aircrafts/beechcraft-snb|website=Tennessee Museum of Aviation|access-date=31 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708060510/http://tnairmuseum.com/aircrafts/beechcraft-snb|archive-date=8 July 2015}}</ref> * 51242 – UC-45J at the CAF Central Texas Wing in San Marcos, Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centraltexaswing.org/aircraft/c-45/|title=C-45 - Central Texas Wing|website=centraltexaswing.org|access-date=4 November 2017}}</ref> * 51291 – UC-45J at the Aerospace Museum of California in Sacramento, California.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beech UC-45J Expediter|url=http://www.aerospaceca.org/beech-uc-45j-expediter|website=Aerospace Museum of California|access-date=30 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328081005/http://www.aerospaceca.org/beech-uc-45j-expediter/|archive-date=28 March 2016}}</ref> * 51338 – UC-45J at the Minnesota Air National Guard Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota.<ref>{{cite web|title=BEECHCRAFT C-45 "EXPEDITOR"|url=http://mnangmuseum.org/exhibits/expeditor|website=Minnesota Air National Guard Museum|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-date=21 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321130410/http://mnangmuseum.org/exhibits/expeditor/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * c/no. 178 – S18D at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee.<ref name="BHMURA">{{cite web|title=Unique & Rare Artifacts|url=http://www.beechcraftheritagemuseum.org/aircraft.php|website=Beechcraft Heritage Museum|access-date=30 March 2016|archive-date=27 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227004730/http://beechcraftheritagemuseum.org/collection/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * c/no. A-935 – D18S at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee.<ref name="BHMURA" /> * AF-824 – C-45H at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee.<ref name="BHMURA" /> * c/no. BA-453 – E18S at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tullahoma, Tennessee.<ref name="BHMURA" /> * c/no. BA-670 – H18 at the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, Texas.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

==Specifications (UC-45 Expeditor)== frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Beechcraft SNB-2 Navigator {{Aircraft specs |ref=''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II.''<ref name='jane'>Bridgeman 1946, p. 205.</ref> |prime units?=imp  |crew=2 pilots |capacity=6 passengers |length m= |length ft=34 |length in=3 |span m= |span ft=47 |span in=8 |height m= |height ft=9 |height in=9 |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=349 |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=5420 |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=7500 |fuel capacity=  |eng1 number=2 |eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 "Wasp Junior" |eng1 type=radial engines |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=450

|max speed kmh= |max speed mph=225 |max speed kts= |max speed mach= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph= |cruise speed kts= |range km= |range miles=1200 |range nmi= |range note=at {{convert|160|mph|km/h kn|abbr=on}} and {{convert|5000|ft|m|abbr=on}} |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=26000 |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1850 |more performance=

|avionics= }}

==See also== * Air Caribbean Flight 309 {{Portal|Aviation}} {{aircontent |see also= |related= |similar aircraft= * Airspeed Oxford * Avro Anson * Barkley-Grow T8P-1 * Cessna AT-17 Bobcat * De Havilland Dove * Evangel 4500 * Fairchild AT-21 Gunner * Lockheed Model 10 Electra * Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior * Siebel Si 204 |lists= * List of aircraft of World War II * List of military aircraft of the United States }}

==References== ===Notes=== {{Reflist}}

===Bibliography=== * Bridgeman, Leonard, ed. "The Beechcraft Expeditor." ''Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II''. London: Studio, 1946. {{ISBN|1-85170-493-0}}. * Bridgeman, Leonard. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1951–52''. London: Samson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd., 1951. * Donald, David, ed.''American Warplanes of World War II''. London: Aerospace, 1995. {{ISBN|1-874023-72-7}}. * Griffin, John A. ''Canadian Military Aircraft Serials & Photographs 1920 - 1968''. Ottawa: Queen's Printer, Publication No. 69-2, 1969. * Hagedorn, Daniel P. ''Central American and Caribbean Air Forces''. Tonbridge, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1993. {{ISBN|0-85130-210-6}} * Mesko, Jim. "The Rise...and Fall of the Vietnamese AF". ''Air Enthusiast'', August–November 1981, No. 16. pp. 1–12, 78–80. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}. * Mondey, David. ''American Aircraft of World War II'' (Hamlyn Concise Guide). London: Bounty Books, 2006. {{ISBN|978-0-7537-1461-4}}. * Ogden, Bob. ''Aviation Museums and Collections of North America''. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 2007. {{ISBN|0-85130-385-4}}. * Pelletier, A. J. ''Beech Aircraft and their Predecessors''. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1995. {{ISBN|1-55750-062-2}}. * {{cite journal|title=Pentagon Over the Islands: The Thirty-Year History of Indonesian Military Aviation|journal=Air Enthusiast Quarterly |date=n.d. |issue=2 |pages=154–162 |issn=0143-5450}} * Pettipas, Leo. ''Canadian Naval Aviation 1945-1968''. L. Pettipas/Canadian Naval Air Group, Winnipeg: 1986. {{ISBN|0-9692528-0-3}} * {{cite journal |last1=Sapienza|first1=Antonio Luis|title=L'aviation militare paraguayenne durant la seconde guerre mondiale |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |trans-title=Paraguayan Military Aviation During the Second World War|date=May 2001 |issue=98 |pages=30–33 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}} * Swanborough, F. Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. ''United States Military Aircraft since 1909''. London: Putnam, 1963. * {{cite book|last1=Swanborough|first1=Gordon|last2=Bowers|first2=Peter M.| author2-link = Peter M. Bowers |title=United States Navy Aircraft since 1911|year=1976|publisher=Putnam|location=London|isbn=0-370-10054-9}} * Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1961. * Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965–66''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1965. * Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1967–68''. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1967. * Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77''. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. {{ISBN|0-354-00538-3}}. * Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83''. London: Jane's Publishing Company, 1982. {{ISBN|0-7106-0748-2}}. * ''United States Air Force Museum Guidebook''. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Air Force Museum Foundation, 1975. * {{cite book |last1=Thetford |first1=Owen |title=British Naval Aircraft since 1912 |year=1991 |publisher=Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Conway Maritime Press Ltd |location= London, UK |isbn=0-85177-849-6 }}

===Further reading=== * Parmenter R.K., ''Beech 18: A Civil and Military History'', The Staggerwing Museum Foundation, U.S.A., 2004

==External links== {{Commons category|Beechcraft Model 18}} * [http://www.eaa1000.av.org/pix/beech18/beech18.htm Experimental Aircraft Association (Chapter 1000) Beech E18S overview and pictorial tour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418135454/http://www.eaa1000.av.org/pix/beech18/beech18.htm |date=18 April 2015 }}

{{Beechcraft}} {{AircraftDesignationNavboxShell |1={{USAAF reconnaissance aircraft}} |2={{USN scout aircraft}} |3={{USN utility aircraft}} |4={{USAF transports}} |5={{USAF trainer aircraft}} |6={{US unmanned aircraft}} |7={{Thai transport aircraft designations}} |8={{Swedish military aircraft designations}} |9={{CF aircraft}} |10={{FAB aircraft designations}} }}

0018 Category:1930s United States military trainer aircraft C-45, Beechcraft Category:1930s United States civil utility aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1937 Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Twin-tail aircraft Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear