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As mission demands continued to evolve over the years and performance improvements became available, in 1984 the Army’s National Guard Bureau upgraded the engine installations in a majority of the L-23F/U-8F aircraft to eight-cylinder Lycoming fuel injected, opposed engines fitted with three-blade Hartzell propellers (the modification also included installation of new engine mounts). These changes were part of an FAA- approved, major modification to the original Beechcraft design, and was developed by Excalibur Aviation Company in San Antonio, Texas.
As the decade of the 1950s faded into history, aviation propulsion technology had progressed to the point that turbine power was coming of age for business aircraft such as the Queen Air. The Beech Aircraft Corporation was among the first to take the bold step of installing a turboprop engine in a modified Model 65 airframe, thereby creating the legendary King Air. But that is another chapter in the Beechcraft story. KAA
Endnotes:
1. Phillips, Edward H.; “Beechcraft— Pursuit of Perfection;” 1992, Flying Books
2. Harding, Stephen; “U.S. Army Aircraft since 1947;” 1990, Airlife Publishing, Ltd.
Ed Phillips, now retired and living in the South, has researched and written eight books on the unique and rich aviation history that belongs to Wichita, Kansas. His writings have focused on the evolution of the airplanes, companies and people that have made Wichita the “Air Capital of the World” for more than 80 years.
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Together, we can support all your King Air braking needs, one landing at a time.
Main wheel & brake Main wheel & brake Main wheel & brake Nose wheel
Kit P/N 199-90 Kit P/N 199-110 Kit P/N 199-125 Kit P/N 199-126
Cleveland Wheels & Brakes, FAA, EASA, and ANAC approved STC conversion kits for most King Air models now include C90GT, C90GTi, and B200GT. Engineered and designed for:
• Easeofliningreplacement
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Want to learn more? Contact customer support at 1-800-BRAKING (1-800-272-5464)
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28 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
APRIL 2023