Span: 16"
Length: 13"
The Beech Model 17 Staggerwing scale model is made from the highest quality of mahogany. Each part is painstakingly hand-carved by master craftsmen and undergoes priming and sanding several times until it is perfect. Talented artists meticulously paint each and every detail, no matter how big or small. The result is a replica that is a faithful reproduction of the original aircraft. A coat of clear lacquer not only provides the finishing touch, but also ensures that details are properly protected. Each wood model goes through various stages of quality control before reaching our customers and comes with a beautiful mahogany-based chrome stand.
History:
The Beech Model 17 Staggerwing is a biplane produced by Beech Aircraft Corporation introduced in 1933 for the United States Army Air Force. Beech Model 17 has a typical stagger or the lower wing is farther forward than the upper wing. The aircraft was designed to be a large, powerful, and fast biplane built specifically for business executive. The Beech Model 17 commonly known as the Staggerwing first flew on November 4, 1932 setting the standard for private passenger airplanes for many years to come and was considered to be the premier executive aircraft flying.
The first year of production, only 18 Model 17 were sold, sales were steadily increased eventually the Staggerwing captured a substantial share of the passenger aircraft market. By the start of World War II, more than 424 Model 17s had been sold.
The Beech Model 17 Staggerwing was also used by air racers in 1930s in parts of America. An early version of Model 17 won the 1933 Texaco Trophy Race. In 1935, Capt. HL Farquhar, a British diplomat flew around the world in a Model B17R traveling 21,332 miles from New York, London, Siberia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, North Africa and back to Europe. In 1936, Louise Thaden and Blanche Noyes won the Bendix trophy in a Model C17R Staggerwing, also another Harmon Trophy for Louise Thaden. Jackie Cochran set a woman’s speed record of 203.9 mph, established an altitude record over 30,000 feet and finished third in the 1937 Bendix Trophy Race while flying a special Model D17W Staggerwing.
The Beech Model 17 Staggerwing also made its way into World War II and in many parts of the world; Model B17Ls were pressed into service by the Second Spanish Republic as bombers during the Spanish Civil War. China used Staggerwings as ambulance planes in its fight against Imperial Japan. Finland had a B17L as a liaison aircraft. Also, a special camouflaged D17S were shipped to Prince Bernhard of Lippe for refugee work in and around London.
Early in World War II, the United States Army Air Forces ordered 270 Model 17s for US service and overseas which was designated UC-43. In Navy, the planes were designated as GB-1 and GB-2. All Model 17 and modified planes made use and are all powered by the 450 horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine.
*Alteration on the design such as change of paint schemes and markings or embodied features on our models occurs at any time. Detachable stand is included with the model which may vary from the photo.
