The Beechcraft model 17 was the first aircraft Walter Beech designed after he left Travelair and formed his own company, Beechcraft. A sleek cabin biplane, the Staggerwing was the Lear Jet of its day. Seating 5 people it is a fast plane even by today's standards. Having a top speed in excess of 200 MPH when fitted with a 450 horsepower Prat & Witney Wasp engine it also has a very slow landing speed due to its biplane configuration. It was also one of the first comercialy available aircraft with flaps and retractable landing gear. Some like this model were fitted with floats for use on water.
