Page 26 - Volume 11 Number 8

delivered to the Turkish Army, and the next year the Spanish Air Force received seven T-42A. By 1986, only 30 of these airplanes remained in Army inventory and were assigned to units of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard to serve as light utility transports.4
By comparison, during model years 1963-1965, Cessna built 548 Model 310H, 310I and 310J. As for Piper, during the first seven months of 1965 the company delivered 454 Aztec and PA-30 Twin Comanche aircraft that accounted for nearly 50 percent of all five- and six-place, twin-engine lightweight airplanes sold by U.S.-based airframe manufacturers that year. The combined output of Beech, Cessna and Aero Commander amounted to only 459 aircraft.
During the mid-1960s the competition continued to improve the Aztec and Model 310, and Beech Aircraft answered their challenge with the Model 95-C55. The most salient change was an increase in horsepower to 285 from 260 using Continental’s relatively new engine designated IO-520-C that featured a gear-driven alternator. Horizontal stabilizer and elevator span were increased slightly, the fuselage nose section was lengthened to accommodate more baggage, as well as a growing list of optional avionics. A one-piece windshield was installed and the cabin interior received minor upgrades in materials and an expanded choice of colors. Price increased modestly to $68,350.
The 95-C55 was built alongside the 95-B55 and 265 of the improved version were produced in 1966 followed by another 185 in 1967. That year production was terminated to make way for the 95-D55. In addition, the College of Air Training based in Hamble, England, took delivery of 12 new Baron 95-C55 in 1967 to train aspiring airline pilots for the British air carrier industry.
By 1968, the venerable Baron was due for another upgrade in the form of the 95-D55 that retained the IO-520 engines but added three-blade propellers. The 95-C55’s larger horizontal stabilizer/elevator was adopted that spanned 15 feet 11.25 inches. Once again, the popular Beechcraft Baron demonstrated its competitive spirit and 181 were built in 1968 and 135 in 1969 before the final version of the short-fuselage Baron series appeared for the 1970 model year.
The 95-E55 was fitted with the same IO-520 engines of the 95-D55 but could be configured to seat up to six people in the cabin or carry light cargo with four seats removed. Minor changes included a new exterior paint scheme, flush-mounted wingtip and rotating beacon lights, improved avionics and reconfigured instrument panel. An optional 172-gallon fuel capacity with one fuel cap per wing was offered for the 1976 model year. Price began at $83,950 in 1970 but had risen to $219,500 by 1982.
Maximum speed increased slightly to 230 mph, and two-engine rate of climb increased to 1,670 feet per minute. Although the 95-E55 initially was built in small numbers (59 in 1970, 434 total), it continued to be manufactured alongside the 95-B55 until 1982 when production of both versions ceased.5 KA
NOTES:
1. McDaniel, William H.: “The History of Beech;” McCormick- Armstrong Company, Inc., Wichita, Kansas; 1971.
2. Kirby Grant, star of the popular 1950s television series, “Sky King,” flew his “Songbird III,” a 1960 Model 310D registered N6817T. He was often accompanied by his female sidekick Penny (Gloria Winters) in the co-pilot’s seat. The 310D replaced “Songbird II,” a 1958 Model 310B registered N5348A.
3. Not including production of the T-42A militarized version for the U.S. Army. By 1982, the price of a commercial Model 95-B55 had skyrocketed to $177,500.
4. Harding, Stephen; “U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947.” Airlife Publishing Ltd., United Kingdom, 1990.
5. As of late 2016, the used aircraft market for the Beechcraft Baron was strong with all versions of the short-fuselage series demanding prices from $60,000 to more than $230,000. According to Trade- A-Plane, a 1963 95-A55 was offered for $35,000, the owner of a 1969 Model 95-B55 was asking $68,900 for his airplane, and a 1977 95-E55 was priced at $189,900.
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, Kan. 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.
AUGUST 2017
24 • KING AIR MAGAZINE