The Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon has a collection of 82 airplanes. Included in the collection is a Beechcraft Model 18.
The Beechcraft Model 18, commonly called the Twin Beech, was manufactured by Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. Twin Beeches were built from 1937 until 1970. The one pictured above in a 1957 Beech E18S. More than 9,000 Twin Beeches in 32 variants were built.
The Twin Beech could be fitted with 6 to 11 seats. In addition to carrying passengers, the plane was used for a variety of purposes includes aerial spraying, sterile insect release, fish seeding, aerial firefighting, ambulance service, freight hauling, banner towing, and smuggling.
The first production model (18A) had seating for two pilots and seven or eight passengers. It was powered by Wright R769E-2 engines.
In designing the plane in the 1930s, Beechcraft had speculated that there would be military demand for this type of aircraft. During World War II, the Twin Beech was used by the United States Army, the United States Navy, and the Royal Air Force.
The Model E18S (shown above) started in 1955. This model featured a fuselage that was extended by six inches to provide more headroom in the passenger cabin. A total of 403 of this model were built.
The Beechcraft Model 18 continues to be used by air charter companies and small feeder airlines.