EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013: Beechcraft Exhibit Features Classic Designs and New Military Program

Fred Harl and Carmelo Turdo

The Beechcraft exhibit at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013 featured company classics, spanning over 80 years of aircraft production, from the Staggerwing to the latest King Air and AT-6 Texan II light attack aircraft.  It is a tribute to the strength of the line of products that many are still in production for many decades as the company itself has undergone several reorganizations.  The storied history of Beech Aircraft Company is well covered on the corporate website, and it is worthy to note that Beechcraft has been a leader in the business travel market since the introduction of the Model 17 Staggerwing in the 1930s.  Such classic aircraft as the Bonanza, Baron, and King Air have been in continuous production in various model designations for over 50 years. 

Beechcraft became a subsidiary of Raytheon in 1980 and was renamed Raytheon Aircraft in 1994.  The Beechcraft brand was reintroduced in 2002.  The Raytheon Aircraft Company became Hawker Beechcraft Corporation in 2007.  Most recently, Textron Inc. will acquire the Beechcraft line in the first quarter of 2014.  Throughout this corporate evolution, the Beechcraft line has survived and expanded into corporate jet and military aircraft markets, the latest efforts resulting in the AT-6 light attack aircraft based on the heritage Raytheon T-6 Texan II military trainer. 

The Aero Experience brings to you this photo essay covering the Beechcraft exhibit at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2013, including a walk-around of the AT-6 light attack aircraft courtesy of test pilot Michael Rambo prior to its departure.