Beechcraft Model 34 "Twin Quad"

[riggerrob]

The Beechcraft Model 34 Twin Quad is explained in detail by Randy Mertens’ book “Closet Cases” (Pilot News Press, Kansas City, Missouri,1980).
Beechcraft conceived the concept of a 20-seater feeder liner during WW2. The high-winged, V-tailed plane looked like a twin, but each propeller was driven by a pair of 8-cylinder, Lycoming GSO 580 engines buried in the wing and driving through a combining gearbox.
The program slowed after an electrical fire caused a crash on January 17, 1948. But what really killed the Beech Model 34 program was the vast numbers of military-surplus C-47s dumped on the market.

Mertens’ book also details the Beech Model 73 Jet Mentor and flightless Beech T-36A military trainer and transport.

 

[Grey Havoc]

From a couple of days ago:

Beechcraft Model 34: 10 Years Ago Today.

A decade ago I was reading about this curious aircraft and its interesting “Twin-Quad” engine configuration. Right then I realised it could have been nice to share this kind of wonders I love so de…

elpoderdelasgalaxias.wordpress.com

 

[Mark Nankivil]

The Beechcraft Model 34 Twin Quad is explained in detail by Randy Mertens’ book “Closet Cases” (Pilot News Press, Kansas City, Missouri,1980).
Beechcraft conceived the concept of a 20-seater feeder liner during WW2. The high-winged, V-tailed plane looked like a twin, but each propeller was driven by a pair of 8-cylinder, Lycoming GSO 580 engines buried in the wing and driving through a combining gearbox.
The program slowed after an electrical fire caused a crash on January 17, 1948. But what really killed the Beech Model 34 program was the vast numbers of military-surplus C-47s dumped on the market.

Mertens’ book also details the Beech Model 73 Jet Mentor and flightless Beech T-36A military trainer and transport.

Good Day All -

I spent two days at the Kansas Aviation Museum scanning photos and scanned the Model 34 folder - a few teasers attached. Will post more once I get them sorted out.

Enjoy the Day! Mark

 

[jcf]

Decent new article on the Model 34 "Twin Quad" from Flying.
Model 34 "Twin Quad".

 

[Mark Nankivil]

Good Day All!

Back at the end of May, I spent a few days in the Kansas Aviation Museum archives scanning portions of their collection. The Model 34 folder happen to have an early brochure on the design - pages attached.

Enjoy the Day! Mark

 

[Mark Nankivil]

...and a few more scans for your perusal...

 

[Sundog]

Good Day All!

Back at the end of May, I spent a few days in the Kansas Aviation Museum archives scanning portions of their collection. The Model 34 folder happen to have an early brochure on the design - pages attached.

Enjoy the Day! Mark

Thanks! The information about the belly skids was all new to me. I thought that pic you posted of it belly landed was an accident, but now I realize it was most likely just a test. This aircraft is way more interesting than I had originally considered.

 

[Tonton-42]

...and a few more scans for your perusal...

Wow ! I really love this Beech Twin-Quad !

 

[Stargazer]

...and a few more scans for your perusal...

Thank you so much, Mark, for all the great material on the Twin Quad!

 

[hesham]

Hi,

Beechcraft Twin Quad: A 'Feederliner' That Almost Was - FLYING Magazine

Following World War II, Beechcraft reasoned that a small, modernized civil airliner was just what the industry needed.

www.flyingmag.com

 

[Stargazer]

There was enough material about the Model 34 to justify moving the posts from the generic "Projects and prototypes" topic into a thread all of its own, so here it is.

Although not of very good quality, here is a photo of the Twin Quad from a rarely seen angle, and an old article from an unknown source (though it looks like Flying Review to me) and a beautiful in-flight photo that wasn't shared here before.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Oh, that's pretty. Classic Beech.

The Beechcraft Model 34 Twin Quad is explained in detail by Randy Mertens’ book “Closet Cases” (Pilot News Press, Kansas City, Missouri,1980).
Beechcraft conceived the concept of a 20-seater feeder liner during WW2. The high-winged, V-tailed plane looked like a twin, but each propeller was driven by a pair of 8-cylinder, Lycoming GSO 580 engines buried in the wing and driving through a combining gearbox.
The program slowed after an electrical fire caused a crash on January 17, 1948. But what really killed the Beech Model 34 program was the vast numbers of military-surplus C-47s dumped on the market.

Oh, ewww...

I'd hate working on those engines/combining gearboxes.

 

[Nik]

But they managed to beat the 'Curse of the Long Drive Shaft' which had bedevilled sundry US designs ??