The Beech 17 is one of the great airplanes of the 1930's period. It was the first design of the
Beech Aircraft Company formed in 1932 by Walter Beech. The first two aircraft built were 17Rs a cabin biplane with fixed landing gear and negatively staggered wings. This meant the lower wing was forward of the upper wing. This rather unusual arrangement was used to provide better visibility from the cockpit. It was powered by a 420 HP Wright Whirlwind engine and was capable of 200 mph.
The 17 R was followed by the A17F and B17 series. The A17F retained the fixed landing gear
of the 17R and had a monster 700 HP Wright Engine. Only two aircraft of this series
were built. The B17 series was the first of the classic Staggerwings, as the plane as commonly
called. The plane had a retractable landing gear and was powered by a 225HP Jacobs L-4 engine.
Though not a 200 mph airplane it was capable of a top speed of 175 mph which was very
respectable at the time.
In 1937 came the popular D17S having a 14" longer fuselage than earlier models and powered
by the 450 HP Pratt & Whitney R-985. This series was produced through the end of World War II
in 1945.
The Beech Staggerwing was probably the finest small 'Executive' transport of the 1930s.
It had the speed of a fighter and the comfort of a "Rolls". Beech continued to dominate this
market for many years with a long string of successful aircraft such as the Model 18 (Twin Beech), Bonanza, Queen Air, and King Airs.
The panels:
The panel for the C17 is based on a highly detailed photo of the panel of Serial #11 which was
the second A17F. This plane was built to compete in the MacRobertson Race from London to Melbourne but was withdrawn for lack of financial backing and sold to the U.S. Bureau of Air Commerce ( predessesor of the CAA/FAA ) . It is reported to have been dismantled by the Bureau
several years later. This plane was equipped for full instrument flying. Prominent at the top
center of the panel is the Lear-O-Scope indicator. This device was the first automatic direction
finder developed by Bill Lear of radio and aviation fame. Lear in fact owned an early
Staggerwing, B17L Serial #43, purchased in 1935.
The D17S panel is based on another detailed b/w but undated photo of what appears to be a D17S.
It looks to be in factory new configuration. No radio equipment is evident in the photo
although it had full gyro instruments. I have added the Lear ADF which would be typical
for pre/WW2 period. I also added a generic VHF radio with a VOR indicator. This might be
typical of a 1950's equipped plane. The panel color selection is arbitrary. It just sort of looked right.
I would appreciate any information regarding the true color scheme of the old panels.
I hope that these panels enhance your enjoyment of flying the magnificent Staggerwing.
