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The airplane was equipped with Garrett AiResearch TPE-331 turboprop engines similar to those that had been installed on the Model B100 King Air. That combination proved successful with more than 130 built between 1976 and 1983. The F90 prototype, serial number LA-1, was modified to accept the TPE-331 powerplants and was re-designated as LE-0. In addition to the Garrett engines, Beech engineers also installed a new windshield design that was more streamlined and was raked aft at a steeper angle than windshields of production F90 King Airs. Despite good performance and a promising market, the G90 program did not progress beyond the flight test phase.
The Vietnam War produced a plethora of unusual aircraft designs intended to fill a specific niche as dictated by the conflict. Among these special missions was electronic surveillance of enemy activity. To meet that requirement for the U.S. Air Force, Beech Aircraft initially modified the Model E33A Bonanza into the Model 1074 Pave Eagle I, but it was later replaced by an improved version designated as the Model 1079 Pave Eagle II.
The airplanes were based on the larger Model A36 Bonanza and featured a number of major modifications. These included tip tanks for additional endurance and a 375-hp Teledyne Continental engine that was equipped with a special reduction gearbox (RGB). The RGB allowed the propeller to turn at a significantly lower RPM compared with standard production airplanes, thereby reducing noise as the airplane loitered above a
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In the early 1980s, Beech Aircraft Corporation took a second look at the single-engine, pressurized market. Using the company’s “cook book” approach to minimize development costs, the engineering department built two experimental airplanes powered by two different turboprop engines. Their efforts resulted in the Model 38P Lightning that combined the fuselage of a Model 58P pres- surized Baron (equipped with new wings) and a Garrett AiResearch TPE-331 turboprop engine rated at 630 shaft horsepower (shp). Later, the same airframe was fitted with
a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-40 turboprop powerplant that also devel- oped 630 shp. The Lightning program provided valuable engineering input, but further development was not forthcoming. The project ended in 1984. (BEECHCRAFT CORPORATION; SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES, WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES)
target at night, monitoring enemy communications. A version of the Model 1079, known as the QU-22B, was designed to be flown by remote control but the pilot and observer remained on board to monitor equipment and could take control of the airplane if necessary.
Yet another “Bygone Beechcraft” of interest is the all-composite Model 81 POC that had the potential to eventually replace the venerable Bonanza. Intended chiefly to test new engineering concepts, the single- engine Model 81 shared the Starship I’s three-surface configuration that included a small canard-type forward wing, main wing and a T-tail empennage.
If the airplane had been produced, its pressurized cabin would have seated five people in comfort while the Beechcraft sped along at the impressive cruise speed of 240 knots. The Model 81 was under design along with the twin-engine cabin class airplane that was to be powered by either piston or turbofan engines.
None of these aircraft were built, but in the mid-1980s they clearly demonstrated Beech Aircraft Corporation’s commitment to the future of business aviation. KA
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, Kansas. 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.
OCTOBER 2022