EAA Sport Aviation - February 2010

The Beech Model 18

Production of the Beech Model 18 began in 1937, with 29 aircraft delivered before the start of World War II. These included the following models: 18A, 18B, 18D, A18A, A18D, 18S, and B18S.

During World War II, 44 Model C18S aircraft were produced for civil corporate use. Post-war production of civilian Beech 18s, numbered 1,803.

Wartime production of Beech Model 18s numbered 5,186. The grand total of Model 18s produced for both military and civilian was 8,980, including 1,018 aircraft remanufactured by the U.S. Navy following the war, and 900 remanufactured by the United States Air Force.

The FAA N-Number registry currently lists 703 Beech Model 18s.

stopping long enough in Urbana’s city square so residents
could welcome their old friend.

After much work and planning by dozens of dedicated people, the restoration project began. Su;ering from more than a decade of being parked outside and left to the elements, the fuselage was pressure-washed, corrosion was addressed by replacing much of the sheet metal, and wing spar repairs were made. ;e cockpit instrument panel was replaced and new instruments and radios installed. ;ey replaced windows, the windshield, and floor boards. A wingtip pod was missing and had to be fabricated. Beyond repair, both engines were replaced.

;e project was not just an airplane restoration, however; it was also a restoration of its substantial electrical and lighting system. ;e goal was to restore the plane to its last configuration—the patriotic paint job and lighting system being tested before the accident grounded the plane. All of the lighting wiring was replaced, connections were improved, and all grounding was wired to a single ground circuit, instead of using the aircraft structure. ;is reduced the voltage drag, and now all the lights can run at the same time, pulling about 75 percent of the total generator output. Before the plane was refurbished, the amp load had to be closely monitored.

In its original configuration, the airplane had two batteries. A third was added during the restoration; this one can be connected into the main electrical system to provide more power at low rpm operation. It also serves as an emergency backup for avionics and engine starting.

;e aircraft on display at EAA AirVenture 2009 was the fourth, and last, of the Grimes Flying Laboratories. ;e story of its restoration is one of thousands of hours of volunteer work and monetary donations from many contributors. Grimes Aerospace is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., and Honeywell donated radios to the project. Much of the decorative paint was applied by hand and brush. More than 100 Grimes lights are installed on the Flying Lab; many are the original test lights, representing airliners, general-aviation airplanes, and even helicopters. Some of the lights carry serial number 1.

;e project became the pride of Urbana, and after eight arduous years of work, the test flight of the restored plane was made in January of 2008. It flew once again over Urbana with its lights flashing on July 4, 2008, destined to become a staple of local celebrations.

Earl Downs has been flying since the age of 14. He is an instrument-rated certificated flight instructor, holds an airline transport pilot certificate, and is an airframe and powerplant mechanic. He owns Golden Age Aviation in Cushing, Oklahoma, flies a Luscombe, and is building a Zenair 601 XL.