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Beechcraft aircraft: books - history and technology
A book on Beechcraft aircraft? Explore here our selection of illustrated books on the history, models and technology of Beechcraft aircraft.
US Army Twin Beeches
Most people think the US Army only flies helicopters, but it has quietly flown a multitude of fixed-wing aircraft for decades. One of the Armys best aircraft providers is Beech Aircraft of Wichita, Kansas.
Beginning about the time of the Korean War and up to present day, the Army has utilised twin-engined Beech aircraft for an abundance of missions and duties. All of these Beech aircraft have been purchased off-the-shelf, instead of developing new aircraft for a specific mission, as they are much more economical to purchase and operate.
Beeches have been used for almost every mission imaginable, from utilitarian, to VIP, to bombers, to photo-reconnaissance and surveillance to training. Some of the Beeches look really "spooky" due to their massive antenna arrays on the "reconnaissance" versions. This book will give you all of the "unclassified" details, data, information, and photos of these unique aircraft operated by the US Army.
Author:
Terry Love
Specs:
144 pages, 28.5 x 22.5 x 2.3 cm / 11.2 x 8.9 x 0.91 in, hardback
Designed in 1948 by the brilliant Walter Beech, the T-34 Mentor was intended as a low cost replacement for the T-6/NJ Texan. The aircraft bore many similarities to the Beechcraft Bonanza, but had a two-seat cockpit with bubble canopy, and a conventional tail.
The original T-34s were equipped with a piston engine. Fifteen years after production ceased, the design was upgraded and deliveries began of a turbo-prop equipped T-34C Turbo-Mentor, which remained in production until 1990.
The T-34 is one of the most reliable aircraft of its type with many remaining in service today, six decades after it was first produced. Over 2300 Mentors in various versions were produced worldwide, including the T-34A for the Air Force and the T-34B variant for the U.S. Navy.
This T-34A Mentor flight manual was originally printed in 1958 and is reproduced here in its entirety.
Author:
United States Air Force
Specs:
170 pages, 25.5 x 20.5 x 0.9 cm / 10 x 8.1 x 0.35 in, paperback
