HOME      Beech Staggerwing

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Click on the picture to hear the wav sound.

NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
The Beech Staggerwing,  with powerful engines, retractable landing gear, and smooth aerodynamics, was one of the best performing single engine pre-World War II light aircraft.
 
The name "staggerwing" comes from the bottom wing of the Beech17 being staggered forward of the upper wing. Its intent is to increase the pilot's upward visibility while decreasing stall speed.
 
The USAAF, U. S. Navy, and Royal Air Force all used the Beech Staggerwing during World War Two. A total of 342 Beech Staggerwing aircraft were ordered by the military during World War II. Great Britain received the majority, a total of 105 Beech Staggerwing aircraft.
 
Originally two very high performance Beech Staggerwing 17R aircraft were built. They were very much an experienced pilot's aircraft, and not suitable for the general aviation marketplace.
 
The Beech Staggerwing Model 17R aircraft had a wide speed range of from about 60 mph to just over 200 mph. The basic structure of the Beech Staggerwing was made up mostly of fabric covered welded steel tubing. The landing gear had a unique feature. The main landing gear were enclosed in streamline fairings, but the wheels could be retracted in flight so that they were completely within the fairings.  The enclosed cabin held a pilot and three or four passengers. The 420 hp radial engine was mounted in a unique tunnel cowling.
 
The Beech Staggerwing Model B17L, first flown in Feb. of 1934, featured a new thicker lower wing that allowed the main landing gear to fully retract in to it. A new 425 hp. Jacobs L-4 radial engine was also introduced in the Beech Staggerwing 17L model. The combination of fully retractable landing gear, together with a more reliable, lighter, smoother running engine, made the aircraft much easier to fly for novice pilots
 
Although production ended in 1949, of 785 Beech Staggerwing aircraft that were produced about 100 are still flying.
 
From Sept. 5 - 7,1936 a Beech Staggerwing set a speed record from New York to Los Angeles of 14 hours, 55 minutes with an average speed of 165.35 mph.
 
On May 29,1937 a Beech Staggerwing set a 100 Km speed record of 197.7 mph.
 

Specifications

        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engine:
        Power: 
        Length:
        Wingspan:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Passengers:
        Cruise Speed:
        Landing Speed:
        Max. Speed:
        Climb Rate:
        Ceiling:
        Range:
        First Flight:
recreation
one pilot
P&W R985
450 hp
26'  10"
32' 0"
2,540 lbs.
4,250 lbs.
three
165 mph
45 mph
200+  mph
1,600 fpm
22,000 feet
670 miles
11/4/32


 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane built by Nick Hill.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
In the pictures above and immediately below is the good looking Beech Staggerwing RC Airplane scratch built by Nick Hill. The radio control airplane's wings span 35".  The RC Airplane is powered by a PJS 800E motor.
 
In the next picture below is Andrew Donnatelli's 48" wing span Beech Staggerwing radio control airplane. Andrew powers his RC Airplane with a O. S. .46 FX engine.
 
Top Flight has a ARF Beech Staggerwing radio control airplane with a 72.5" wing span. Recommended power for the RC Airplane is a 1.60 c.i.d. 2 stroke or 4 stroke engine.
 
Kit Cutters has full, fuselage, wing, short kits and plans for a number of Beech Staggerwing radio control airplanes.  Their giant scale Beech Staggerwing RC Airplane from Nick Ziroli Plans has a wing span of 88" and a length of 72".  Suggested power for the radio control airplane is a 3.7 c.i.d. engine. All up weight of the Beech Staggerwing RC Airplane should be between 30 and 35 lbs.
 
Kit Cutters has 48", 64", and 96" wing span Beech Staggerwing radio control airplanes from Cleveland Model Co. plans.
 
Last from Kit Cutters is a 64" wing span Beech Staggerwing RC Airplane from Morgan/Novack plans.  The radio control airplane needs engines from .71 to .80 for power. 
 
The bottom picture is of the Global Hobbies EP ARF Beech Staggerwing RC Arplane. The radio control airplane has a 28.5" wing span.  To power the radio control airplane you can use a variety of motors ranging from Speed 480 - 700 size brushed or brushless.
 
Do you have a favorite Beech Staggerwing RC Airplane? Do you know of plans, a ARF or kit for a Beech Staggerwing radio control airplane? If so, please email us.
 
 
Radio Control Airplane
Nick Hill's RC Airplane.
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane by Andrew Donnatelli.
 
Radio Control Airplane

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Radio Control Airplane from Global Hobbies.