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tag of nearly $60,000 for a standard-equipped airplane, the 95-A55 sold well with 187 units built in 1962 followed by another 122 in 1963. As with its predecessor, the 95-A55 could be equipped with instrumentation allowing appropriately-rated businessman-pilots to operate their Baron under FAA instrument flight rules.
It is interesting to note that in 1963 Beech Aircraft Corporation shipped 19 Model A55 airframes (no engines) to its European affiliate in France, Societe Francaise d’Entretien et de Reparation de Materiel Aeronautique, or SFERMA for short. These airframes were part of a technical agreement between the two entities to cooperate on development of turboprop engine installations in the Baron, Travel Air and Model 18 aircraft. SFERMA was responsible for installing Astazou IIJ turbine engines, each rated at 450 shaft horsepower, in the airframes and marketing the modified Beechcrafts as the Marquis. The concept seemed sound, but what the business flying industry was waiting for arrived in 1964 – the Beechcraft Model 90 King Air that combined turboprop technology with a well-appointed, cabin-class interior that established a new standard for executive travel.
By 1964, production of the Baron had changed again, this time to the Model 95-B55 that featured a maximum gross weight of 5,000 pounds (increase of 120 pounds compared with the 95-A55), a lengthened nose section that increased baggage space by 50 percent, and optional fuel tanks holding 144 gallons that gave the airplane a range of 1,225 statute miles at an altitude of 10,000 feet, at a 45 percent power setting (economy cruise). The fuel-injected, six-cylinder Continental engines remained the same, each rated at 260 horsepower. The 95-B55 cruised at 225 mph at an altitude of 7,000 feet, and earned a solid reputation as an excellent, easy-to- fly lightweight Beechcraft twin.
During the Baron’s 1964 model year, the factory produced 271 airplanes. Eventually the upgraded 95-B55 proved so popular with customers that it remained in production (with minor upgrades) from 1964 until 1982 when production was terminated after 1,851 commercial units had been built.3
In addition, in February 1965, the U.S. Army chose the Model 95-B55 to serve as an instrument and multi-engine transition trainer. Designated T-42/T-42A and carrying the nickname “Cochise,” the rugged Beechcraft proved itself up to the task as the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War increased along with the Army’s demand for more multi-engine pilots.
The first five airplanes were delivered in September 1965, sporting a mixed olive drab and white exterior livery, but later the T-42A version was painted olive drab overall. Beechcrafters built 65 of these airplanes for the Army. In 1971, another five T-42A were built for the Army under the Military Assistance Program and
AUGUST 2017
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 23