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one-piece welded steel tubing center section and multi- spar wings; even a seven-pound toilet, reading lights,and ashtrays came with the package. By the time Starratt signed agreements with Montreal distributor Aircraft Industries of Canada, technicians had arranged ski testing and seaplane float installation.
Wichita delivered NC18578 (s/n 169) to Edo’s College Point plant on Long Island. To Beech’s chagrin, his designated pilots lacked seaplane experience and soon spun the example of “airborne artistry” into Jamaica Bay. Thanks to Model 18 integrity, both men survived. A replacement later registered CF-BGY arrived and water trials continued, but this time, Starratt sent a pilot wise in handling license-built Edo 55-7170 seaplane floats.
With experimental flying completed, mechanics re- installed CF-BGY’s wheels Dec. 15, 1937, for customs clearance in Montreal. Ski flying trials commenced in 15 inches of snow in a 12-mph wind at nearby Cartierville with Vickers units assembled in Montreal. A federal inspector did not appear overwhelmed with the 47-foot, 8-inch wingspan and 123-inch cabin length.
“Owing to abrupt sides of these skis, short turns in heavy snow should not be made. In addition, these skis tend to stick when starting aircraft after standing in heavy snow,” said Department of Transport’s S. Graham.
“Although they bear the warning ‘Do Not Walk,’ they would likely be battered in northern operations.”
Model 18 CF-BGY became the first twin-engine Beech type assigned to harsh hinterlands beyond the Kansas wheat fields. Starratt found himself with the fifth example produced and powered by 350hp Wright R-760-2 radial engines and Hamilton Standard propellers cruising at 1,900 rpm. Dive speeds reached 200 mph, and empty weight on skis came in at 4,626 pounds, including ski legs, forks and fittings.
Agreements signed and fuel tanks topped to 160 U.S. gallon capacity, Starratt pilots finally departed Montreal for a 906-mile journey to Hudson where advanced field tests showed 340-yard ski takeoffs and 35 U.S. gallons hourly fuel consumption with the seven-cylinder engine. By Jan. 4, 1938, line pilots reveled in cabin heaters and kapok-insulated walls; no more heavy mitts, parkas or exterior fabric coverings ripped on spruce branches or ice shards. With a robin egg-blue paint scheme, the “Wichita Wonder” and the appropriately dressed bush pilots took on the coniferous jungles.
On most flights, the passenger seats stayed behind as loaders pushed, rolled and towed freight from nearby railway boxcars. Plywood sheeting protected floors and goods such as ball bearings and roped kegs of applesauce,
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