Page 28 - March 2015 Volume 9, Number 3

The Beechcraft Model B17 series was the airplane that kept the Beech Aircraft Company out of bankruptcy during 1934-1935. Selling for about $8,000 with standard equipment, the biplane was not only affordable but offered businessmen a modern, fast and economical mode of air transportation. The factory built 46 B17L ships before production shifted to the C17 series. (EDWARD H. PHILLIPS COLLECTION)
labor and component parts have risen very considerably. These cost increases probably will continue as long as conditions of abnormal aircraft demand continue.” In the wake of that “unprecedented expansion” Beechcraft prices did escalate almost weekly. In addition, the company was forced to meet rising wage scales within
the aircraft industry or risk losing its skilled workforce to other companies.
By May 1941, the situation had become almost untenable. Carl B. Wooten, company sales manager, warned dealers that the “situation in regards to delivery
26 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
MARCH 2015