Page 26 - Volume 10 Number 12

Teacher’s Pet – The Model 45
In 1948, senior management at Beech Aircraft Corporation saw the need for a new military trainer to equip postwar air forces. Their solution was the “Mentor” that would become one of the most popular Beechcrafts ever built.
by Edward H. Phillips
When World War II ended with the unconditional surrender of Japan in September 1945, the United States Army Air Forces and the U.S. Navy continued to train cadets in the Boeing-Stearman PT-13 and N2S biplanes, respectively, before progressing to advanced trainers such as the North American AT-6 “Texan” and SNJ monoplanes. Although the AT-6 and SNJ were well suited to the task, their thirsty, static, air-cooled radial engines gulped fuel and their airframes were aging fast. In 1948, Walter H. Beech and his engineers realized there was an opportunity to replace the venerable AT-6/SNJ with a modern and cost-effective airplane that could do the work of both a primary and basic trainer.
A series of design studies commenced that year. Fortunately, a significant amount of time and development costs were reduced by using the Model 35 Bonanza airframe as a foundation for the new Beechcraft. The Model 35’s airframe and Continental engine had established a record of dependability since the airplane’s
certification in 1947, and two years later the fourth Model 35 built was flown by William Odom 4,957 miles nonstop from Hickam Field Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, to Teterboro Airport in northern New Jersey in 36 hours, two minutes.
Although there is evidence that the design studies did include incorporating a V-tail on the Model 45, it was rejected in favor of a conventional vertical stabilizer that was more suitable for a military trainer. Overall, the Model 45’s dimensions were similar to those of the Bonanza, but the Mentor featured a narrow fuselage and tandem seating for an instructor and student pilot. In addition, a Plexiglas, three-piece sliding canopy covered the cockpit and provided both occupants excellent visibility.
A prototype was completed in late 1948, powered by a Continental E-185 six-cylinder, opposed piston engine rated at 185 horsepower at takeoff and 165 horsepower for cruise. The airframe was designed to withstand 10 positive and 4.5 negative g-force – more than adequate for
As early as 1947, Walter H. Beech realized that a new, modern airplane was needed for training student pilots that would be significantly less expensive to operate than World War II-era aircraft such as the North American AT-6 and SNJ. The U.S. Air Force agreed, and in 1953 began flying the T-34A. Similarity
to the Model 35 Bonanza is obvious, but the wing’s angle of incidence was slightly different but span remained at 32 feet, 10 inches. All T-34A trainers were powered by a six-cylinder Continental O-470-13 rated at 225 horsepower.
(EDWARD H. PHILLIPS COLLECTION)
24 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2016