Beechcraft H18 (oz15284)

About this Plan

Beechcraft H18 (Beech 18). Radio control sport-scale model twin. Wingspan 2400 mm.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Quote (google-translated): "Beech H18: The Beech was first flown on January 15, 1934, and remained in continuous production until the end of 1969, which is certainly a record in terms of longevity for any aircraft type; over 9,000 units were built. The last 3 aircraft left Wichita for Japan Airlines on November 26, 1969.

Various advanced versions of Beechcraft's shuttle aircraft were used by the Allied Air Forces during the war for a variety of tasks. Transport and multi-role versions were produced in large numbers for the USAF under the designation UC-45, and the US Navy, pattern designation JRB, the RAF and Royal Navy (Expediter I and II), and some JRB machines had a dome-like version for observation purposes - enlargement of the passenger cabin.

Particular further developments were the AT-7 Navigator (navigation training aircraft), of which 1,112 were built, and the AT-11 Kansas (1,582 units built), a training aircraft for bomber and gunner training; Both types were used by the US Navy under the designation SNB. Some AT-7As could be converted to floats and snow runners. Today, many Beech 18s are still in use to drop parachutists.

The model: Not only the appeal of a two-engine aircraft, but also the special shape of this type were decisive in me deciding on the elaborate design of the Beech 18. Complex because the machine has a two-leg retractable landing gear and double tail. So I started planning about 3 years ago. The scale was chosen to be 1:6, which in my opinion is a lower limit for this type with the proportions and execution being completely true to the original.

My Beech was made entirely of wood. Only the cabin glazing and the landing gear shaft covers are made of plastic or aluminum. This usual, lightweight balsa construction method, which I always use, has a positive effect in several factors, such as overall weight, flight characteristics, strength, etc. For many model builders, the significantly higher construction effort is of course a downer, but for me only this construction method is real model building. It always fascinates me to complete the delicate basic structure of a wing or fuselage into a compact, stable unit.

In order to do justice to the model in as many details as possible, I of course also equipped my Beech with a self-designed telescopic retractable landing gear. Only the pneumatics with which the landing gear is retracted were not made by me. At this point, however, it must be mentioned that only the outer visible part of the chassis is completely true to the original.

The support and retraction mechanism was adapted to the spatial conditions and the space required by the wing. When the landing gear is retracted, it is covered by two covers, so that only half of it..."

Update 11/5/2024: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy, thanks to Pilgrim. This includes some previously missing sheets that show all fuselage formers, also full nacelle and retract drawings. Fullsize at 300 dpi.

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