5077 x 3385 px | 43 x 28,7 cm | 16,9 x 11,3 inches | 300dpi
Aufnahmedatum:
1. Juli 2012
Ort:
Duxford Cambridgeshire England
Weitere Informationen:
The Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing is an American biplane with an atypical negative stagger (the lower wing is farther forward than the upper wing), that first flew in 1932. The Model 17's unusual negative stagger wing configuration (the upper wing staggered behind the lower) and unique shape maximized pilot visibility while negligibly reducing interference between the wings. By the start of World War II, Beechcraft had sold more than 424 Model 17s This particular aircraft was built at the Beechcraft facility in Wichita, Kansas in 1943 whereon she was delivered to the US Navy as a Model GB-2 and allocated Bu No 23689. However, under the Lend Lease Program, she was immediately shipped to the UK and delivered to the Royal Navy as Traveller Mk.I FT475 where she was based at the Royal Naval Air Station Donibristle, Scotland with 782 Sqn. In the UK the Staggerwing was utilised as both a high speed light transport and reconnaissance aircraft. After the war she returned to the US Navy as Bu No 32874 and there are also indications that she was allocated the US Air Force serial number 44-67724 before passing into civilian ownership where she carried the registration N1193V. In 1990, registered G-BRVE, our Staggerwing crossed the 'Pond' once more to join Pink Floyd front-man Dave Gilmour's growing aircraft collection at North Weald, Essex. She subsequently passed on to another UK operator in 2000 where she remained for five years before joining The Fighter Collection fleet in 2005.
