C-45 West Texas Wing
Description:
Base:
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| 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, 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.
The West Texas Wing, a unit of the Commemorative Air Force, has an SNB (A U.S. Navy version of a C-45). Once restoration is completed, it will go on tour with the SB2C Helldiver as a support aircraft, carrying supplies and crew to different aviation events across the country. In addition the aircraft will assist in telling the story of the Prowler's of the Pacific as well as the training command during WWII.
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.
