A39 Beechcraft 17
Three Beechcraft 'Staggerwings' served in RAAF colours. Serialed A39-1 to 3, they were impressed into service during 1941 and 1942, serving (A39-1 and 2) with Nos 2 and 3 Communications Flights and (A39-3) with No 36 Squadron and Nos 2 and 4 Communications Flights. The first two machines were transferred to the Department of Civil Aviation in September 1944, while A39-3 was sold in 1947.
TECHNICAL DATA: Beechcraft 17
DESCRIPTION:
Four-seat communications aircraft
POWER PLANT:
One 300 hp Jacobs L-6MB radial engine
WEIGHT:
Empty 1023 kg (2255 lb); loaded 1628 kg (3590 lb)
DIMENSION:
Wingspan 9.75 m (32 ft 0 in); Length 7.97 m (26 ft 2 in); Height 2.49 m (8 ft 2 in).
PERFORMANCE:
Max speed 312 km/h (174 kt); Cruise speed 293 km/h (158 kt); Ceiling 18,000 ft (5486 m); Range 1215 km (656 nm).
