Copyright 2011 by Brandon Cope
Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor (Model 18 “Twin Beech”)
The C-45 was a twin-engine, twin-rudder staff transport which first flew in 1940 and was based on the earlier civilian Model 18 "Twin Beech". It was quickly adapted to other roles and some 9,000 of 32 Model 18 variants (including civilian models) were manufactured. Nearly 1,400 C-45's of all types were built, with most (over 1,100) being the C-45F. In 1943 the type designation was changed to UC-45.
Crew consists of a pilot and copilot. The C-45F uses 34 gallons of aviation fuel per hour at routine usage.
Subassemblies: Medium Fighter-Bomber chassis +4,
Light Fighter-Bomber Wings +3, two Large Weapon pods +2, ywo partial
rotation Small Weapon Turrets +0, three retractable wheels +1.
Powertrain: 2x336-kW aerial HP gasoline engine
[Pods:F] with 2x336-kW prop and 165-gallon standard fuel tanks
[Wings].
Occupancy: 2 CS, 6 PS Cargo:10
Body, 1 Wings, 3 Pods
Armor
All: 2/3
Equipment
Body: Medium radio receiver and
transmitter, duplicate controls, navigation instruments, autopilot.
Statistics
|
Size: 34'x48'x10' |
Payload: 1.14 tons |
Lwt: 4.36 tons |
|
Volume: 448 |
Maint.: 37 hours |
Price: $29,900 |
HT: 10
HP: 210
[body], 165 [each wing], 120 [each pod], 20 [each wheel]
|
aSpeed: 215 |
aAccel: 5 |
aDecel: 27 |
aMR: 6.75 |
aSR: 2 |
Stall: 61 |
Design Notes
Design speed was 190 mph. The historical
speed has been used, as well as the actual wing area (349 square
feet). Weight, cost and HPs of the wings were halved. Weight was
reduced by 13%.
Variants
The Model 18A (1937) was the initial civilian
version. It carried 7-8 passengers and had a max weight of 3.35 tons.
Speed was 220 mph. The S18A could be equipped with skis or floats;
max weight was 3.6 tons
The Model 18D could carry nine passengers. The S18D could be fitted with skis or floats.
The C-45 seated six and the C-45A and
-B seated eight.
The AT-7 Navigator (1941) was a
navigation trainer with three students in place of passengers. 577
were built The SNB-2 was the Navy version, with 299 built.
The Navy used the C-45 as the JRB. Most were used in the transport role (JRB-2, -3 and -4), but there was also a photo-reconnaissance version (JRB-1). Almost 380 total were built.