THE BEECHCRAFT SUPER 18
14. THE BEECHCRAFT SUPER 18.
In 1957 a magnificent Beechcraft E18S increased wingspan and improved performance came featuring a raised roof and enlarged cockpit windows became to replace the Parker “51” D18S of 1946. The interior height of the cabin was increased, and the tail incidence angle was changed and the wingtips modified to allow a higher maximum takeoff gross weight.
“Since the fall of 1957 the company has been operating a twin-engine Beechcraft E18S executive transport out of Rock County airport, Janesville, averaging each year about 475 hours, and ferrying about 150 dealers to and from the plant(1)”
This Twin Beech Parker E18S, also known as Super 18, it is a luxurious low-wing cabin craft with toilette in a separate compartment, spacious passenger lounge, tailored-to-taste, food bar, heating and ventilating system with individually adjustable seating for two crew members and six passengers with reading light, powered with two reliable 450 hp. Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr. R-985, nine-cylinder, single-row, air-cooled radial piston engines.
According to material released by the company this long, distinctive, modern in design and powerful in appearance –has a cruising speed of 215 mph. and deliver a top speed of 234 mph. with a service ceiling of 26,000 ft. Super 18 long-range allows its fly coast to coast with just one fuel stop. The aircraft had a landing running of 1,480 feet and a takeoff run of 1,655 feet.
The Twin-Beech weight 6,175 pounds when empty and can carry a useful load of 3,125 pounds. Thirty-four feet in length and 47 ft. wingspan are its exterior measurements. The cabin is luxuriously large for the comfort of both, pilot and passengers with its rear seat of 57 inches wide.
Panel instruments on this model:
- Dubacker, H. (November, 1959). “Airborne Penmanship”. Flying magazine, p. 39-40.
- Beechcraft E18S Maintenance Manual (November 15, 1960) p. 239.
- Ad from Flying Magazine (March, 1958), p. 23.
THE DOUGLAS DC-3 N-61A
15. THE DOUGLAS DC-3 N-61A.
In October, 1960, a comfortable powerful and luxurious Douglas DC-3- G202A, N-61A, serial number 9667(1), would replace the Beechcraft Super 18.
At the time of purchase, this aircraft was registration number N-66B, being modified a few days later as N-61A as Parker´s “61” fountain pen. Years later, in November 1965, put up for sale, Parker requested to Aircraft Registration Branch its modification to N-6110, to reserve the number “61” of their fountain pen for the Parker Douglas Marketeer.
From the airline Aerovías «Q» S. A. this initially Douglas C-47A CU-73. L.B. Smith Aircraft Corp., Miami, Fla., carried out the conversion to an executive aircraft. The DC-3 was equipped with autopilot, full duplication of cockpit controls and indicators, as well as the exterior and interior lighting needed for night flights. The structure and coating were metallic, had landing gear that would retract into the engine nacelles and could maintain the control during takeoff with a single engine, oversize window frames, windshield wipers, Aerosmith seats, fabric headliner and plastic padded side plane. Automatic cabin temperature control system, radar altimeter. In the passengers cabin a lavatory with linoleum floor covering, stainless steel bar-cabinet or lower drawers for sandwich, ice, thermos, etc. was installed.This Parker twin-engine DC-3A was powered by two radial engine Wright Cyclone R1820-72A, 9 cylinders, single-row, air-cooled radial engine 1,300 hp. take off.
This multi-spar wing had 95 ft. of wing-span; a length of 65 ft., with an empty weight of 19,025 pounds was designed for a useful load of 7,175 pounds. Its maximum speed at critical altitude was 216 mph. and the cruising speed was 184 mph. with a maximum range of 2,150 miles. Its landing speed was 65 mph. Depending on its motorization, had between 22,100 and 24,100 ft. as a service ceiling (two engines).
In January 1966 this Douglas was sold to Rockford Newspaper Co., Rockford, Ill.
- According to documents of the Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Registry.