Summary Staggerwing set new aviation standards WWII production excellence led to acclaim Beechcraft's legacy promises innovative future Beechcraft Corporation has played an instrumental role in the evolution of aviation, leaving a lasting legacy through its innovative designs and high-quality aircraft. From its humble beginnings in the 1930s to becoming a major player in the general and business aviation sectors, Beechcraft has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the skies. Staggering success: the Staggerwing Beechcraft Corporation was founded in 1932 by Walter H.
Beech and his wife, Olive Ann Beech, in Wichita, Kansas. At a time when the aviation industry was still in its infancy, Walter Beech envisioned a company that would produce high-performance, reliable aircraft for both private and commercial use. Walter’s vision quickly took shape with the development of the Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing , an aircraft that set new standards for speed, luxury, and innovation.
But – according to the National Air and Space Museum , the Staggerwing was a gamble: an expensive, high-tech, high-speed, business airplane launched at the height of the Great Depression. The aircraft was released in 1932, the same year that Beechcraft was founded. Fortunately, the gamble proved successful and, ultimately, 781 Staggerwings were produced in eight series.
Among its customers were the United States Army Air Forces and the United States Navy, which began using the type in .