Page 11 - Volume 18 Number 3

flap speed raised from 135 to 150 mph to match the E50’s limit. Similarly, for 1959 the airplanes were listed as the D50B and G50, the supercharged airplane getting fuel- injected IGSO-480-A1A6 engines and an extra 150 pounds of takeoff weight; landing weight remained 7,000 pounds.By 1960, big things were happening at Beech; the model 95 Travel Air (a true twin-Bonanza) had been added to the lineup and the prototype of the Baron was flying. Although the Model 18 was still in production, it was obvious that the radial-engine taildragger’s days were numbered. A modern alternative was needed, and the supercharged Twin Bonanza was given an enlarged fuselage with a left-rear airstair door, a club-seating cabin with worktables, and sliding doors to close off the cockpit; the Model 65 Queen Air was born, grossing 7,700 pounds.By no means, however, was Beech giving up on the Model 50. The D50C and H50 remained in 1960’s model line, the latter being given a 7,300-pound takeoff weight and a small airstair entrance door, fitted onto the right side, aft of the wingroot. The 1961 D50E (there was no D50D) and J50 were continued into 1962, but it was obvious that the Queen Air was the buyer’s primary choice, even with such Twin Bonanza options as a three-place side-facing couch and standby Aerojet rocket motors to boost climb after an engine failure on takeoff. After a dozen years, the Twin Bonanza’s day was done. A total of 1,093 Twin Bonanzas were delivered, 716 normally-aspirated and 377 with supercharged engines.But, Walter Beech’s foundation airplane provided exactly what was needed to move the company into the last half of the 20th century. The Queen Air 65’s straight-up Twin Bonanza tail morphed into the 1962 Queen Air 80’s stylish swept tail, which offered 380-hp IGSO-540MAINTENANCE• All scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance by our friendly, experienced technicians• Qualified to work on Citation, KingAir, Twin Commander, and Pilatus Avionics• Legacy: partial and full glass cockpit completions• Garmin GTN650 and GTN750 installations• XM Weather, traffic and mode S upgradesCRS #FTUR030EMARCH 2014TWIN & TURBINE • 9info@northeastair.comwww.northeastair.com Portland Jetport (KPWM) Maine