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How many Beech 18s were sold in 1940, and how many were ordered during the war?

Short answer

Only 34 Model 18Ds were sold in 1940, at a price of $37,000. Before the United States entered the war only 39 Model 18s had been sold, 29 of them to civilian customers. With the war, Beech built 4,526 C-45s, the military version, for the Army Air Forces between 1939 and 1945.

Published: November 4, 2026 · Updated: November 4, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many Beech 18s were sold in 1940, and how many were ordered during the war?
Volpar Turbo 18 (Beechcraft H18 conversion), 2024 Stuart Air Show, Witham FieldZLEA (CC BY SA), vía commons

A twin-engine aircraft that started slowly

The prototype Beechcraft Model 18 made its first flight on 15 January 1937. By the time the United States entered the Second World War, only 39 Model 18s had been sold, 29 of them to civilian customers. The 1939 Model 18D (ATC 684) had 200 hp (246 kW) Jacobs L-6 engines, which improved performance. Only 34 of that version were sold in 1940, at $37,000.

The turn brought by the war

Beech built a total of 4,526 C-45s, the military version, for the Army Air Forces between 1939 and 1945. More than 4,500 Beech 18s were used in military roles of various kinds.

More than three decades on the line

The Model 18 was built continuously from 1937 until November 1969, more than 32 years, a world record at the time. More than 9,000 were built, making it one of the most widely used light aircraft in the world. It is also one of the most produced twin-engine aircraft of all time.

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