Beech AT-11 Kansan

History

Derived from the Beech AT-7 Navigation Trainer of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) prior to World War II - itself based on the commercial Beech Model 18 dual-mode AT- 11 "Kansan" It became the service's primary bomber and airsoft trainer before World War II. The aircraft produced approximately 1,582 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force before and during the war, and it worked brilliantly.

The aircraft features rectangular windows on the sides of the cabin, a glass nose (for Bombardier interns), an internal bomb bay with power doors, bomb racks and up to 3 x .30 caliber air-cooled machine guns (such as firing intern) mounts.

The machine is a dual-engine design with a conventional layout, with typical performance of the time and role. It features a short, rounded nose arrangement, with the pilots behind it lined up side by side. The cockpit contains control sticks for each pilot, with a common dashboard interface (including throttle controls along the center console).

In the forward position of the bombardier, the famous Norden Bombsight was installed, giving the bombardier full control of the aircraft for critical bombing missions. The hull is plate-side, with a markedly tapered stern, and a two-blade rudder assembly is installed along the common horizontal plane.

The main aircraft are mounted low on the sides of the fuselage, and each aircraft has a streamlined engine nacelle protruding from the leading edge. Both pilots clearly saw the engine. A rear-wheeled tractor landing gear was introduced, and the three legs in the design were retractable.

Propulsion for the aircraft relies on 2 Pratt & Whitney R-985 air-cooled radial piston engines, each producing 450 hp, driving two-bladed metal propellers in a tractor configuration. Top speed is 215 mph, while cruising speed is usually around 150 mph.

The range is 745 miles, with service reportedly capped at 20,000 feet.

Dimensions include 34.1 feet in length, 47.7 feet in wingspan and 9.7 feet in height. Total weight reaches 9,300 lbs.

The initial and final production model was simply referred to as "AT-11", followed by "AT-11A", and approximately 36 AT-11 prototypes were converted into navigation trainers. The first production models were equipped with a single-gun (0.30 cal) Beechcraft backpack turret for shooting training. Later models switched to twin-gun (2 x .30 cal) Crocker Wheeler branding.

A rear gunner training position has also been added.

In addition to the national production numbers tied to USAAF commitments, the Netherlands initially ordered another 24 to support training, but these were taken over by the US service - although they ended up in the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School in the US, in Mississippi Served over Jackson.

In practice, bomber crews were able to get certified by driving, navigating, bombing, and firing. These include evasive maneuvers, throwing 100-pound sand "battle weapons" at decoys at high altitude, and proper management of critical systems, including engines.

Such was the value of the AT-11 in USAAF service that about 90 percent of bomber crews were trained on the platform.

Specification

Base

Year of Service

1937

Origins

United States

Status

retirement

does not work.

Crew

6

Production

1,606

Manufacturer

Beech - USA

Carrier

Netherlands; USA

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Education (General)

Develop the ability to become a dedicated student pilot instructor (usually under the supervision of an instructor).

Training (Basic)

For aerial training, covering the basics of flight, general handling, take-off/landing maneuvers, etc.

Training (Advanced)

A special advanced training platform for student pilots after completing basic flight training.

Notable Features

Multi-engine

Include two or more engines to improve survivability and/or performance.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

inner bay

Hull volume includes space for internal weapons or special mission equipment.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Rating Process

A manual process to allow the pilot and/or crew to exit in the event of an onboard emergency.

Depression in crew members

Support the pressurization required for crew survival at higher operating altitudes.

Crew management

In addition to the pilot, the aircraft also employs additional crew members who specialize in specific functions on the aircraft.

Rifle positions

Defensive weapon location for attack/suppression.

rear gun

Defensive rear-facing gun emplacements to neutralize enemy targets coming from behind.

Closed crew room

There are partially or fully enclosed crew work areas.

Scalable

Has retractable/retractable landing gear to maintain aerodynamic efficiency.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

34. 1 ft

(10.40m)

Width/span

47.7 feet

(14.54m)

Height

9.7ft

(2.96m)

Cured weight

5,512 lbs

(2,500 kg)

MTOW

9,304 lbs

(4,220 kg)

Wgt Difference

+?3,792

(+1,720 kg)

MAINPLANE STRUCTURE

wing/low/straight

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

install low

The main aircraft is mounted low on the side of the fuselage.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

(Structure descriptor reference production variant AT-11)

Performance

Installed:

2 x Pratt & Whitney R-985 air-cooled radial piston engines, each producing 450 hp and driving a two-bladed drawn propeller unit.

Maximum speed

214 km/h

(345 km/h | 186 knots)

Cruising speed

149 km/h

(240 km/h | 130 knots)

Maximum speed difference

+65 km/h

(+105 km/h | 57 kn)

Maximum

20,013 feet

(6,100 m | 4 km)

Area

746 km

(1,200 km | 2,222 nautical miles)

rate of climb

1,850 ft/min

(564 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Weapon

Optional: 2 or 3 x .30 caliber Browning air-cooled machine guns mounted on trainable/flexible mounts in dorsal turret and stern emplacement. A 100-pound sand-filled "bomb" for Bombardier training.