Beechcraft D18 Twin Beech - N197L
Our Twin Beech made her public debut just last month! The newest addition to the Gulf Coast Wing is the 1947 Beechcraft model D18, routinely referred to as a “Twin Beech.” The aircraft has just finished its inspections and joined the CAF's Living History Flight Experience, and we are thrilled to see her in the air and offering flights, especially to families who want to educate their kids about aviation and WWII.
4500 of these aircraft saw military service during and after WWII, and over 90% of USAAF bombardiers and navigators trained in these aircraft. The twin engine tail dragger is painted in glossy Navy blue, marked as a US Navy JRB Navigator and has been a huge hit at her first appearances.
There's just one hitch -- we don't yet have a spare engine. If one of the Pratt & Whitney R-985 engines develops an issue, we don't have a back up to keep her flying. So we've started a campaign to raise funds to purchase one. These vintage engines are in demand, and a replacement will ultimately cost about $50,000 when fully fitted out. So we hope to raise the $5,000 down payment by way of the 12 Planes of Christmas. Can you help?