Scope and Contents

This collection contains a pictorial history of the development, design, manufacture, shipment, and delivery of Beech Model 17s. The material consists of photos showing details of engineering drawings, assembly parts and process, completed aircraft on line and in flight, and advertising art.

Biographical / Historical

The Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, KS was founded in 1932 by Walter Beech. The first aircraft produced by the company was the Model 17, a four- or five-place cabin biplane with pronounced negative stagger. This feature made the type one of the most recognizable aircraft of the 1930s and earned it the name "Staggerwing." The first Staggerwing flew on 4 November 1932 and broke 200 mph, faster than most current military aircraft. Larger engines, retractable landing gear, and aerodynamic modifications improved performance, so that by 1939 the aircraft cruised at 200 mph with top speeds in the 250 mph range. During World War II the Staggerwing served in the United States military as the UC-43 (Army Air Force) and GB (Navy) and in the British Royal Air Force as the Traveller. Following the war, Beech briefly marketed the G17S as the final production Staggerwing.