The Beechcraft C-45 was based on the Beech Aircraft Corporation's civilian-minded Model 18 "Twin Beech" series. First flight for the original company design was recorded on January 15th, 1937 and the aircraft was introduced that same year attempting to find its place in the peacetime market. Ultimately, with the onset of world war on the horizon, the US military adopted the Model 18 in many guises including the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) which designated the type as the "C-45". It went on to become a fixture within the inventories of the USAAF (later the USAF), the US Navy and the USMC and saw additional service overseas with British and Canadian forces through Lend-Lease. In all, some 9,000 Model 18 aircraft were built covering 32 different variants in the family line. Production spanned from 1937 to 1970. While the Model 18 served as the basis for the C-45, it was also the origin of the "Navigator" and "Kansan" lines of the USAAF/USAF and the USN/USMC. The C-45 went on to see considerable operational service in World War 2 and the Korean War in the light transport, VIP transport and mission liaison roles.
Externally, the Model 18 was a basic design featuring a short nose assembly, framed cockpit position, tapered fuselage, low-set wing assemblies and a n H-style tail unit. The engines were fitted into streamlined nacelles at each wing leading edge. The undercarriage consisted of a tail-dragging arrangement to include two main landing gear legs and a tail wheel. Power was served through the pairing of Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial piston engines of 450 horsepower each powering twin-bladed propellers. This supplied a maximum speed of 225 miles per hour with a cruising speed nearing 211 miles per hour. Range was out to 1,200 miles with a service ceiling of approximately 18,500 feet. The standard operating crew for a single C-45 was two pilots and up to nine passengers depending on the internal cabin configuration. Additionally, the cabin space could also be optimized for photo-reconnaissance equipment, MEDEVAC and light cargo-hauling. Overall, however, there proved no notable differences between the military C-45 and civilian Model 18 airframe.
The US Army Air Corps eventually placed orders for over 1,300 C-45 aircraft and, of these, most (1,137) were delivered in the C-45F configuration (seven-seat passenger transport). Other variants included the original C-45, the C-45A, C-45B, C-45C, C-45D, C-45E, C-45G and C-45H models - differing mainly in internal configuration and expected role. The "Expeditor II" and "Expeditor III" names were given to British (Royal Navy) and Canadian (Air Force) examples, respectively, under Lend-Lease.
After World War 2 and into the volatile 1950s, the US military charged Beechcraft with refurbishing some 900 C-45 airframes and these were reconstituted into USAF service as the C-45G (autopilot, R-985-AN-3 radial engines) and C-45H (sans autopilot, R-985-AN-14B engines) of which many went on to serve into the 1960s (approx. 1963). Some were assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC).
Every branch of American service eventually fielded some form of the Model 18, such was the reach of this fine little airplane.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Transport
General transport functionality to move supplies/cargo or personnel (including wounded and VIP) over range.
✓VIP Service
Used in the Very-Important-Person (VIP) passenger transport role, typically with above-average amenities and luxuries as standard.
Length
34.2 ft (10.41 m)
Width/Span
47.7 ft (14.53 m)
Height
9.7 ft (2.95 m)
Empty Wgt
6,173 lb (2,800 kg)
MTOW
7,496 lb (3,400 kg)
Wgt Diff
+1,323 lb (+600 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Beechcraft UC-45 (Expeditor) production variant)
Installed:
2 x Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Junior radial engines delivering 450 horsepower each.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Beechcraft UC-45 (Expeditor) production variant. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database)
None.
C-45 - Six-seat transport model; 11 examples produced.
C-45A - Eight seat multi-purpose transport model; 20 examples produced.
C-45B - Based on C18S model; 223 examples produced; later redesignated to UC-45.
C-45C - Based on 18S model
C-45F - Based on C18S; seven-seat passenger transport; later redesignated to UC-45F.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.
Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org, the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft, and SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane.
Canada; United Kingdom; United States
