C-45 "Yellow Belly" Cimarron Strip Wing
| C-45 Specs | |
|---|---|
| Role | Trainer / Utility |
| Manufacturer | Beech Aircraft |
| Introduced | 1937 |
| Produced | 1937–1970 |
| Power | 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 "Wasp Junior" radial engines, 450 hp |
| Length | 34 ft 2 in |
| Height | 9 ft 8 in |
| Wingspan | 47 ft 8 in |
| Range | 1,200 mi |
During and after World War II, more than 4,500 Beech 18s served with the U.S. military in a wide range of roles, including light transport, bombardier and navigator training, gunnery training, photo reconnaissance, and even as “mother ships” for target drones. Military variants included the U.S. Army Air Forces C-45 Expeditor, AT-7 Navigator, and AT-11 Kansan, as well as the U.S. Navy SNB series. During World War II, Beech 18 variants played a particularly important training role, helping prepare thousands of bombardiers and navigators for combat service.
