The Microsoft Flight Simulator team is thrilled to announce our latest release in the Local Legends family: the Beechcraft Model 18!
One of the great classics of the sky, the Model 18 is a twin-engine, low-wing monoplane that lifted off on its maiden flight in January of 1937 and then took the aviation world by storm. Frequently called the “Twin Beech” or, less commonly, the “Beech 18,” the aircraft is crewed by two and seats six passengers in typical configurations. The Model 18 is one of the most successful airframes ever developed due to its power, range, ruggedness, and broad-spectrum utility. More than 9,000 were produced during a continuous manufacturing run that lasted from 1937 to 1979, one of the longest in the history of aviation. Not just a workhorse, the Model 18 is also an iconic beauty, a ruggedly attractive machine that looks great from any angle, especially in the air. Recreated in exquisite detail by Carenado, Microsoft Flight Simulator’s Local Legend V: Beechcraft Model 18 is ready today for sim aviators to pilot throughout the Flight Simulator world!
After the 1933 debut of their successful Model 17 “Staggerwing” biplane, Beechcraft conceived of an aircraft to fulfill a wide range of needs with an emphasis on the business and burgeoning commuter airline sector. The design that would become the legendary Model 18 comprised metal construction, a twin vertical stabilizer empennage, and a standard undercarriage that could accommodate floats, amphibious floats, or even skis. Powered by two burly Pratt & Whitney “Wasp Junior” radial engines, engineers reasoned the aircraft could undertake a broad range of missions throughout all types of operating conditions.
