Beechcraft Heritage Museum

7/31/2019 Beechcraft Heritage Museum

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An opportunity to be part of history

Come join us as we preserve the past, enjoy thepresent, and promote the future!


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The Beechcraft Heritage Museum is a

distinctly original one-of-a-kind, living and

working aviation museum that traces the

lineage of the Beechcraft family of airplanes.

The Museum began life as the Staggerwing

Museum Foundation, incorporated in October

of 1973, under the auspices of the Staggerwing

Club. In April 2007, the Museum became the

Beechcraft Heritage Museum. This change

reects our commitment to promoting aviation

education and preserving the heritage nurtured

by generations of enthusiasts of all Beechcraft

models from 1932 through the present. No

matter what area of this history which

branch of the family tree interests you most,

youll nd it here. We invite you to join us.

The Museum is situated in a picturesque

campus-style setting adjacent to the

Tullahoma, Tennessee, Regional Airport

(THA). An attractive blend of authenticallyrestored early American log structures and

modern museum-quality construction, this

60,000 square foot facility currently houses

more than two-dozen aircraft, plus many

aviation artifacts and memorabilia for the

enjoyment of our Members and visitors.


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The Museums history begins early in the

annals o aviation in this country. Walter

H. Beech was born in 1891 and raised

in nearby Pulaski, Tennessee. In 1924,

prior to ounding the Beech Aircrat

Company, he, along with Clyde Cessna,

and Lloyd Stearman, became principals in

the newly ormed Travel Air Manuacturing

Company, located in Wichita, Kansas.

1891

Walter BeechInducted to

Aviation HOF

Olive Ann BeechInducted to

Aviation HOF

Passing ofWalter Beech

Birth ofWalter Beech

Birth of Olive AnnMellor (Beech)

First Model 17Beechcraft

Beech, Cessna, and Stearman,become principals in Travel Air

Manufacturing Company

Founding of BeechcraftAviation Company

Travel Airmanufactures

first Model 1000

Introduction ofthe V-tail

Beechcraft Bonanza

Thaden and Noyes winBendix Trophy Race

Twin Engine BeechcraftModel 18 Introduced

Travel Airacquired by

Curtiss-Wright

Staggerwing MuseumFoundation Incorporated

Staggerwing Museumbecomes Beechcraft

Heritage Museum

1891 925 946 973 2007903 1932

1929 Travel Air Model 4000

1925 Travel Air Model 1000, c/n 1

Mystery Ship, c/n 1 NR614K


4/16BOB BURNS TULLAHOMA 2008

Each o these legendary aviation pioneers

soon ounded successul aircrat companies

bearing their respective names.

Today, we are proud to have three examples

o the early Travel Air: the companys rst

production aircrat Ole Number One a1925 Model 1000 on loan rom the EAA

AirVenture Museum, plus a 1929 Model

4000 the model in which Louise Thaden

won the 1929 Womens Air Derby. A third

example, currently under restoration, is the

amous 1929 Travel Air Model R Mystery

Ship, NR614K the rst o only ve built,

and the winner o the Free or All speedevent at the 1929 Cleveland Air Races.

In August o 1929, Travel Air became a major

subsidiary o the giant Curtiss-Wright

Corporation, and by early 1932, as President

o the Curtiss Wright Airplane Company, Walter

Beech believed that the market was in need

o a high-speed, our-place cabin biplane.

When he attempted to interest Curtiss-Wright

senior management in producing this new

aircrat by presenting the concept drawings o

engineer Ted Wells, they reused, citing the harsh

economic climate as the reason. Consequently,

Walter resigned rom Curtiss-Wright to ound

the Beech Aircrat Company on April 19, 1932.

His partners were his wie, Olive Ann Beech,Ted Wells, K.K. Shaul, and investor C.G. Yankey.


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The rst Beechcrat, aModel 17R, registered

NC499N, was test fown by Wilbur Pete Hill on

Nov. 5, 1932, less than seven months ater the

company was ounded. The aircrat served as the

Beechcrat demonstrator until May 24, 1934, when it

was purchased by the Ethyl Corporation. Unortunatelythe aircrat was severely damaged in upstate New

York on Dec. 11, 1935. Nearly 50 years later, in

1984, Museum member Stephen Pster located

the planes wreckage where it had been buried

and began the meticulous reconstruction eort.

The Staggerwing Museum Foundation purchased

the aircrat, completed its restoration, and dedicated

NC499N in honor o Pster on October 8, 1990.As the rst aircrat built by the Beech Aircrat

Company, this beautiul restoration is our

museums centerpiece. Ocially designated as

the Beechcrat Model 17R-1, NC499N became

aectionately known to pilots as the Beechcrat

Staggerwing. Throughout its lie, this aircrat has

become amous as the rst o many thousands o

its Beechcrat siblings noted or their beauty,quality, speed, and excellent fight characteristics.

Staggerwing No.1 resides in the Beech Center

immediately adjacent to the main entrance. This area

also currently houses the git shop, as well as a

general-purpose area, lounge, and catering acilities.

BOB BURNS TULLAHOMA 2008


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The initial inspiration or the 1973 ounding o the

Museum by the Staggerwing Club came rom

amed pioneer aviatrix Louise Thaden. Flying a

stock 1936 C17R Staggerwing, she and co-

pilot Blanche Noyes won rst place in the 1936

Bendix Trophy Race, besting racing proessionals

and military aircrat in a one-day fight rom New

York to Los Angeles. The Louise Thaden Library,

housed in an authentically restored log structure,displays the prestigious 1936 Bendix trophy, her

1929 Womens Air Derby trophy, and many other

artiacts honoring her aerial accomplishments.

This area includes other displays o the early

Beechcrat years and room or social activities.

The frst Beechcrat ever built,

the 1932 Model 17R-1


8/16 SAM CRIMM II

Dedicated in 1975, the adjacent Walter

H. Beech Hangar houses our Travel Airs,

and several o the early Staggerwings

including a 1934 B17L, and a 1936 C17B.

A restored collection o aircrat paint

schemes demonstrates the approach to

custom aircrat building taken by the Beech

Aircrat Company in the early years.

Adjoining the Walter Beech hangar is

the Olive Ann Beech Gallery and Chapel.

Following her husbands death in 1950,

Mrs. Beech became President and

CEO, retiring in 1982 as Chairman o

the Board. This delightully restored

Tennessee log cabin, containing urniture

rom Mrs. Beechs corporate oce, is

popular with Members and is used orocial unctions and has been the site o

numerous weddings.

The Museums rst major expansion

occurred in 1995 with the addition o the

Twin Beech 18 Society. Following on the

heels o the immensely popular Model 17,the Model 18 Twin Beech was introduced

by Beech Aircrat in 1937. This airplane is

arguably the most versatile general aviation

aircrat ever developed, enjoying a civilian/

military production run o nearly 8,000

aircrat over 33 years.

On display in the Alton E. Chuck CianchetteHangar is one o only three existing pre-World

War II examples o the Model 18D. This 1938

1938 Twin Beech Model 18D, c/n178, the 11th Twin Beech builtand one o only three remainingpre-world War II models.



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aircrat was used by Prairie Airways, a Canadian

regional airline. Visitors will also nd a military

version o the Model 18, designated the C-45.

Several thousand other military versions

served throughout the world during the war.

Also displayed is a 1959 Super E18S Miss

Maine, which served in the fight department

o several corporations during its career.

Are you one of the thousands who love

the great Bonanza and Baron airplanes?

I so, youll be pleased to know that the

Bonanza / Baron Museum division was

launched in 2003. With a master plancalling or a total o 90,000 square eet,

the rst phase o hangar construction was

dedicated in 2004, ollowed by the second

phase in 2006. Among

the treasures in this

hangar are two o the

oldest 1947 Beechcrat

Model 35 Bonanzas, therst Model 55 Baron

built in 1960, and

the 1/5 scale original

Bonanza wind tunnel

models rom 1945. Also

eatured is a turbine-

powered A-36 Bonanza,

which was fown aroundthe world on our

separate occasions.


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Are you a fan or student of aircraft design

and engineering? An exhibit known as the

Olive Ann Beech Staggerwing, a 1938

E17B, is displayed without its abric covering

so that our visitors may appreciate the

intricate design details o these ascinatingaircrat. The Staggerwing was one o the rst

general aviation aircrat to undergo wind

tunnel testing as well as eature a retractable

landing gear. Mrs. Beech donated the

original 1933 engineering artiacts used or

this development.

An especially unique exhibit is a one-o-a-kind

actual Bonanza V-35B cutaway. This

aircrat was displayed in the Smithsonians

Washington D.C., Air & Space Museum ater

being built to highlight the details o an all-metal

aircrats construction, the V-tail controlsystem, and the engine details.

An example o modern aircrat construction

is represented by the all-composite Beechcrat

Model 2000A Starship. The design eatures

pusher engines and a canard wing layout

intended to provide jet-like perormance

with turboprop eciency. The Starshippioneered the use o an all-graphite composite

airrame, instead o aluminum, as the rst

such civilian aircrat to be ully certied

by the FAA. Much o the technology and

experience gained is now being used in

current and proposed aircrat construction.

1994 Model 2000A, c/n 49, one o only 53 built.


11/16 2007 RUSSELL MUNSON



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As a Museum Member, youll play a

valuable role in the important work o

passing the history o aviation on to

uture generations through youth

programs designed to promote aviation.

We are an EAA Air Academy satellite

location using a hands-on aviation based

program to promote interest in science

and mathematics or students Ages 10-16.

Students attending the Air Academy

have their tuition paid by our Scot Perry

Education Fund. And our educational

eorts arent limited just to youth. Adult

members benet rom our Aircrat

Maintenance Seminars. These include

topics such as Beechcrat Model 17 and

18 Landing Gear Retraction, Radial

Engine Operation, Spar and Inspection

procedures, and the broad-based

knowledge and experience across all

Beechcrat models that youll be able to

share as a Museum member.

As a Museum Member, you will also

receive the Beechcraft Heritage

Museum magazine and ree Museum

admission throughout the year. You,

your amily, and guests will also benet rom

invitations to register each year or the

Museums annual Beech Party plus other

Museum activities. This is your opportunity to

enjoy the camaraderie o socializing with

riends, making new acquaintances and

participating in educational seminars. Our

unique acilities, inormative museum programs,

and a broad variety o recreational activities

oered by the surrounding area make this an

ideal relaxing vacation destination.


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M E M B E R S H I P F O R MBeechcraft Heritage Museum

P.O. Box 550 Tullahoma, TN 37388(931) 455-1974 (931) 455-1994 (fax)

email: [email protected]: www.beechcratheritagemuseum.org

Please TYPE or PRINT

MEMBERSHIP TYPE: oNew oRenewal

RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP: Staggerwing # ____________TravelAir # ________________18 Society # ______________ Bonanza-Baron # ___________

NAME: ________________________________________________________________________LAST FIRST NICKNAME

SPOUSE: _______________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:* ____________________________________________________________________ STREET

________________________________________________________________________________CITY STATE COUNTRY ZIP

*your newsletter will be mailed to this address unless otherwise specifed.

PHONES: ______________________________________________________________________HOME BUSINESS

________________________________________________________________________________FACSIMILE MOBILE

E-ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________ E-MAIL WEBSITE

DUES:

oAnnual Membership:USA - $50; Foreign - $60 (USD)

oLifetime Membership:$1000 - may be paid in two installments of $500 within six months.

Please make checks payable to: Beechcraft Heritage MuseumPlease indicate your aircraft of choice:

oTravel Air oStaggerwing oTwin Beech

oBonanza oBaron oOther Beechcraft


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A I R P L A N E O W N E R S*not required or membership

Model ________________________________ Year __________________________________

S/N __________________________________ Regis. ________________________________

Engine ________________________________ Status ________________________________

We would like to have PICTURES and INFO of your airplanes,

projects, & family to share with the other members of the

Museum via the Newsletter! Thank you!

Beechcraft Heritage MuseumP.O. Box 550

Tullahoma, TN 37388

PLEASE PLACE

FIRST CLASS

POSTAGE HERE


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The Beechcrat Heritage Museum is a tax-

exempt, nonprot, 501(c)(3) corporation,

so contributions are tax-deductible. The

Museums operations are unded by annual

memberships, donations to the Friends

o the Museum program, and income rom

our investment portolio. Contributionopportunities include annual or lietime

memberships; donations to the investment,

education, or building expansion unds;

endowment gits; as well as a donation or

loan o aviation artiacts and display aircrat.

Annual Membership Dues are only $50 ($60

USD oreign), and Lietime Memberships

$1000, payable in two installments i you wish.

There is so much to be gained or such a

small investment. The Beechcrat amily o

airplanes has a storied and glorious history,

one that continues to this day. This is an

opportunity or you to be part o that history.

Please join us today and add your own

branch to the Beechcrat amily tree.


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Major Highways Direct to Museum:Interstate I-24, Exit 111, take Highway 55 South through Tullahoma to Highway 130 North;

travel West 1/2 mile to Beechcraft Heritage Museum. We are 70 miles Southeast of Nashville

and 70 miles Northwest of Chattanooga.

Flying to the Museum?

Tullahoma Regional Airport (THA)AWOS-3: 128.325 UNICOM: 123.0

Museum located on the eld south end of RWY 36

HOURS of OPERATION (March 1 November 30 Only)Tuesday Saturday 8:30 AM 4:30 PM

Open by appointment December through February

ADMISSIONAdults (18+) $10.00 per person Students (12-17) $5.00 Children (11 and under) FREE

Museum Members FREEGroups - Call 931-455-1974

P.O. Box 550 570 Old Shelbyville Highway Tullahoma, TN 37388

931-455-1974

[email protected]

TULLAHOMA MUNICIPALAIRPORT

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PARISH AERODROME

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BEECHCRAFTHERITAGEMUSEUM

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Beechcraft Heritage Museum