C-45 Indiana Wing
Description:
Base:
Indianapolis, IN
Website:
| 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 |
The Beech SNB is a US Navy/Marine variant of the civilian Model 18 Twin Beech. Over half of the 10,000 produced from 1937 and 1970 were for to the US Military. Military variants include C-45, AT-7, AT-11, SNB, F-2, and JRB. Uses included light transport, photo-reconnaissance, and navigation, bombing, and gunnery training. Many Twin Beech aircraft survive today after serving post-military as relative inexpensive, reliable light cargo aircraft. N4207 was manufactured by Beech in Wichita, Kansas, 1943 as a Navy/Marine SNB-2, BuNos 67124 (c/n 4664). In 1954 it was remanufactured by Beech and redesignated by the Navy to a model SNB-5P, a photo reconnaissance trainer. In 1962 the Navy redesignated it to a model RC-45J. N4207 was stationed at NAS/MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and NAS Pensacola, Florida, both stations being aviation training facilities since before WWII. N4207 was acquired by the CAF in 1983, restored to flying condition by 1995, and re-assigned to the Indiana Wing in 2014.
The Beech SNB was assigned to our unit after it had suffered a failure of its left engine, a P&W R-985 Wasp Jr. We've been loaned a run-out, but stilling running, engine to use to bring the SNB home to Indiana to start repairs and restoration of a few systems/components as needed. To continue to fly the Beech SNB, we need to raise about $50,000 to rebuild the failed engine and accessories and to overhaul both propellers. We think the Beech SNB will make a great aircraft to fly 5-6 veterans each flight as a way to thank them for their personal sacrifice in serving our country. Your donation will help us accomplish this important mission! Also, our thanks to the Mississippi Wing CAF who made the initial acquisition and restoration and the Utah Wing CAF who loaned us the run-out engine to use.
During and after World War II, over 4,500 Beech 18s saw military service—as light transport, light bomber (for China), aircrew trainer (for bombing, navigation and gunnery), photo-reconnaissance, and "mother ship" for target drones—including United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) C-45 Expeditor, AT-7 Navigator, AT-11 Kansan; and United States Navy (USN) UC-45J Navigator, SNB-1 Kansan, and others. In World War II, over 90% of USAAF bombardiers and navigators trained in these aircraft.
