Swass

Have any of you flown this aircraft? What are your thoughts?

pete2800

Haven't flown one, but I fueled one onetime. It was badass.

GauleyPilot

Never flown one---but it was ahead of it's time.

Swass

Might be buying one, would love to hear from those who have flied it and maintained them.

stinsonjr

Beautiful machines - was able to fly right seat in one and fly (not land or take-off). Beautiful control harmony - nice flying airplane (like all Beech products I have come in contact with...which is not many, so take that for what it is worth). Have heard that they are one of the most complex airplanes out there to restore - lots of systems, shapes (if you need to fabricate metal), etc. Some old airplanes fly great (Beech, WACO's) and Beech paid special attention to the flying qualities of their airplane.

For me, the greatest Staggerwings were the very first ones. These models had fixed landing gear, which was heavily spatted (faired). The first model is on display at the Staggerwing Museum (you can see a picture of it on the website) and had a 420 horsepower Wright Cyclone. The other two fixed gear Stag's were special models; the A17F which sported a 690HP Wright and the A17FS which had a 710HP Wright. These last two were spectacular and from pictures seem VERY intimidating. If I knew how to post pics on here i would display them.

stinsonjr

Here is the restoration of the second Staggerwing built, on dislay in TN at the Beech museum. This was the Beech 17R and had a 420HP Wright and the fixed landing gear.

Attachment 1088

stinsonjr

Here is ashot of the Beech A17F. This model was similiar to the 17R in the previous post, but was powered by a Wright R-1820 producing 690HP. This ship ended up being purchased by Howard Hughes for the Bendix Trophy (which was a companion race to the Thompson Trophy - the Thompson was the closed-course race and the Bendix was a cross-country race that ended in Cleveland from LA. The participants would race cross country in the Bendix, arrive in Cleveland, and then be positioned for the Thompson Trophy race later that week at the National Air Races). Hughes was not the first owner of this plane.

beech_A17F.jpg

stinsonjr

Here is a shot of the Beech A17FS. This is similiarto the plane above, but had a Supercharged version of the Wright 1820 producing 710HP (presumably to a higher altitude with the blower). This was initially produced for competition, but ended up being owned by the Bureau of Commerce who flew it for a couple years and then dismantled it. Nobody knows the final outcome of the two "Super Staggerwings". The A17F is rumored to still be in storage somewhere, controled by whomever controls the Hughes estate (he never sold it). People were absolutely convinced that the two airplanes would come to a very bad end (ala Gee Bee's), but to the best of my knowledge neither airframe was wrecked or damaged in any way. Of course, Howard Hughes was an exceptional pilot, and the Bureau of Commerce guys could fly very well too -so it isn't like these were flown by the average putz (like me).

beech-a17fs.jpg

aero550

I'm jealous. If I won the lottery (maybe I should start playing, though), I would be buying the best Staggerwing I could find. I've lusted after them for as long as I can remember.

I got a ride in a Stinson Reliant about a month ago and was really impressed with how nicely it flew and how smooth and relatively quiet it was. It really got me jonesing for a radial classic more than I already was.

stinsonjr

Where di you get a ride in a Reliant? Obviously Stinson's are favorites of mine - look at my handle on APC.