Page 26 - May24

IN HISTORY
“Grizzly!”
In 1945, Beech Aircraft Corporation built the most powerful ground attack aircraft of World War II – the mighty XA-38 Grizzly. Armed with a 75-mm cannon and six machine guns, the twin-engine gunship was large, powerful and fast, but the war ended before the enemy could feel its offensive punch.
by Edward Phillips
In 1944, Beech Aircraft Corporation answered a U.S. Army requirement for a multi-purpose attack aircraft capable of destroying tanks, entrenched fortifications and support vehicles, as well as carrying heavy loads of ordnance across long distances to the targets. Dubbed the Grizzly by company officials and “XA-38” by the Army, the aircraft traded its namesake’s deadly claws for a 75-mm fully-automatic cannon, six 0.50-caliber machine guns and a tough hide capable of absorbing battle damage and keep on flying.
24 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
MAY 2024