I love seeing the 18's heritage showing in modern big Beech's-- the King Air's flaps, various knobs, switch layouts-- the older Barons' Prop/Throttle/Mixture arrangement-- windows are a mix off 99's/Queen/King Airs-- The cabin door and on and on. It reminds me of how the MD-80's cockpit window hardware is straight off the DC-3 line. Decades of good, solid designs.
Man flying anything around Oshkosh during the big flying would be nerve-wracking but even more so with all those gyrations you have to go thru taxiing those wide wings around out there in the heat!
Many years ago, when I was young and full of overconfidence, I flew an H with tricycle gear to show to a potential buyer at his home airport. 1st flight in an 18, I was the pilot. What could happen, right? I had about 30 hours twin time - in a Cessna 310. Tried to land the Beech like I'd landed the 310. Found the 18 had the glide capability of a boulder. Very fortunate those P&W engines came back to life quickly. I survived the only obstacle landing I ever unknowingly attempted in a Twin Beech. Have flown a couple since, got some dual time first. Love the aircraft! Great video, Martin. Thanks for putting it up.
I was traveling salesman for a milling co. during the late 50's and early 60's. Our company owned a Twin Beech identical to this on. I enjoyed the many hours I traveled in this sweet plane,
Martin, I rarely comment on RUclips but that video you made was really special. I’m 51 and, after 33 years of flying, I finally got to Oshkosh this year for the first time. Obviously it was an amazing experience. Your video showed a whole new perspective of what the show’s like. I’m so glad you put this together. And a real classic machine as well! Thanks.
Martin Pauly I’d like to think so. Certainly my 12 year old son was pretty peeved that I went without him! So I gotta come back. The only thing is it’s a fair trek from Melbourne, Australia. Still, Qantas starts direct flights to Chicago next year so it can’t get easier than that. 👍
I flew single pilot freight in Ds and Es to build time... Yours is much nicer than anything I flew but the sounds, the procedures, and the fact that everyone stops to watch when you taxi out/in. Thank you for the trip down memory lane
I first fell in love with radial sound when I was in HS back in 1960. Crop dusters in their stearmans would work my uncle's rice and soy bean fields in Daisetta, TX (near Beaumont) and I would help load and refuel them. When I was a Sr in HS I flagged for one summer season. Truly there is no sound quite like a 985 or a 1340. Man, such great memories.
I told Jeff today how much work this airplane is, in terms of managing all the systems and the thousands of levers, gauges and switches. Looks a lot more complicated than my Bonanza. - Martin
Thank you for sharing your Beech 18, nice flying given the time and location! Too, pretty sharp of you giving your friends hands on exposure along with a lasting aviation experience.
flew one for a company maybe forty years ago. one thing about it was that you didn't use full throttle on takeoff. manifold pressure was limited to 36.5 " hg. as you climbed, you kept adding throttle. you wound up with the handles all the way up around 8000 ft. same thing with the p&w r-1340.
Interesting fact. When you raise the landing gear in a B-18 the center of gravity moves aft. Please fill the oil and check the gas...this is a Beach 18 with a radial engine.
They have it in MSFS now. This is a wonderful plane to fly - virtually. The visibility is indeed excellent, I was wondering if my head position was somehow too high, but no, it's just that good. It flies so stable. Putting it on the ground is easy, slowing it down is a handful. Keeping an eye on all the gauges is almost infeasible under workload for one pilot. Luckily it does have an autopilot, even one that does not seem to want to kill you. It's not advanced enough to do that, which is refreshing. Probably - and by that I mean absolutely - the most fun I ever had in a sim.
Nice to see B-18 in the sky one of the great machines built by Beechcraft great video , I am Canadian ( imported from Finland in -78 ) got my Ppl and Commercial right after my arrival to Canada with my multi and multi-IFR right after never made to Commercial Aviation ( got too old ) Flew jumpers for many years ( never could figure out someone jumping out of a perfectly good airplane !!) I got into ferry flying and ended up flying over 4000 hours as a ferry pilot ( loved flying in U.S ATC is the best in the world by any means ) I got passed on by aircraft dealers as a good kid ( i am machinery Technician by trade so I knew how to listen and feel the engines and plane alltogether. ( I was told this by an older very experienced Pilot as a former P-51 war time pilot that I had the privilege to fly with, I have a great respect to all of those that had to escort the bombers to Germany many Me 109s there with 20 mm cannons waiting luckily P-51s had the good old Browning .50 , well short life story All the best to you and being Christian and Love the western culture and freedom I would say God Bless !
Wow, you have had quite an aviation career! I bet the ferry pilot experience alone must have given you enough stories to fill a book. Best regards, Martin
Does the F.A.A. still require a wing spar x-ray on the Beech 18 ? June 1976 two of our W.W. ll aircraft A&E teachers had to fly one from Logan Utah to Van Nuys CA to get the main wing spar x-rayed. They took four of us lucky enough students to go with them. Those two instructors are ghosts today , but I could tell they were re-living their glory days when piston radial engines were king ! They retired from teaching in the early 1980's. Maybe the best two days of my life were those two days. I miss my dad's generation.
Gorgeous and pristine D-18! Love the sound of those twin round engines. Brought back lots of fond FBO memories of my young adulthood. Nice job of flying it. Thanks for sharing.
I remember when I was a little guy we had a little uncontrolled airport in our town. We had 3 Twin Beech like these based back there that I remember buzzed loudly on takeoff. The airport was closed back in the 90s.
For my fellow aviators, at 15:55 the T6 pilot making the “one two” gesture is asking if he’s good for single file or double file taxi. If double file he’s cleared to pass the wing tip. Motorcyclists adopted this and still use this gesture today.
Nice. I flew them on floats where you could carry 10 passengers, provisions for a week, a 12 foot aluminum boat strapped to the belly and a whole lot of gas.
Nicest Beech I ever flew was a King Air F-90 from Opa Locka Beech maintenance to West Palm. Liked it better than the KA 200 on the same leg. Martin's smile tells me he's itching for a twin.
Oh, a twin would be nice - but not affordable for me currently. And really, I have no complaints about the Bonanza - it's a very good airplane, as long as that engine keeps running. :-) - Martin
What a gorgeous Beech18! I think the Beech 18 is one of the most gorgeous aircraft flying today :) The Staggerwing may be THE most gorgeous. Tough call
I too love the sound of 985's. In the early 70's I was a lineboy for a guy that had a dozen or so twin beeches which he used on mail contracts. Us lineboys would help load the mail and then ride along. I did manage to bounce one once but never ground looped. Only airplane the owner ever had wrecked was when someone ran one off the side of the runway for an unknown reason. Bobby Younkin used to fly the mail before he started in the air show business.
Yeah, hi twin beach yonder. This is Robert again. I will say this. It don't matter what cabinet airplane it is, if it's got wings. I can fly it even airlines. I can fly them all right. Thank you again. And that's one beautiful wayirplane that you have thanks.
Back in 80 at EAA I got to watch Hoover, the Christian Eagles with Leo Loudenslager and the Poberzneys and I got to meet the great Art Scholl . WOWZER ! For an 18 YO kid I was heaven. Thats a beautiful 18. The interior is luxo ... I got to watch Leo do a 16 point roll.. flat stunning. That was the first time I saw the jaw dropping Helio Courier do its stuff. Awesome mammories...
Those are great memories. My first time in Oshkosh was in 1999, I think. I remember being overwhelmed - it was huge (and still is today). I remember seeing Bob Hoover fly in the air show. - Martin
In 1955 or 6 I worked part-time at a FBO at Blythe, CA, and rubbed out new wing panels on an unknown year twin Beech. What a workout on the underneath. Basically I worked for a couple of flights. I also worked at least one Powder Puff Derby in that time frame, servicing those who needed fuel or breaks.
Looks like a great place for ADS-B IN and Out so everyone can see each other on a easy to see cockpit display. Always loved these 18's since I was a mech on them back in the early 70's. I've got about 100 hours taxi time and about 6 hours right seat in 18's. If someone can successfully taxi these things, learning to fly them is a piece of cake.
It sure set direction for the future. If you look at all the big cabin class twins built since then - the King Air, the Cessna 300s and 400s, etc. - they all more or less look like the Twin Beech. Regards, Martin
What a beautiful bird! One of my all time favorites. A flight sim model building genius named Milton Shupe made a fantastic beech18 for Microsoft flight sim FS2004 and updated to work in Microsoft FSX. I know it's nothing like real world flying, but I spent many hours in the cockpit of his awesome FS model. Lot of fun!
Awesome! Flight Simulator is how I started learning about instrument flying back when I was a teenager - the graphics back then were really nothing to write home about, and it's amazing how good the scenery and also the airplanes themselves look in the modern version of Flight Simulator. You've probably seen the previews of MS Flight Simulator 2020 - unbelievable! Best regards, Martin
This was my fathers airplane from the late 80s through the early/mid 90s. He completely restored the plane during that timeframe. It still has the same interior as then but the paint scheme was changed from the original executive paint scheme to the current military type scheme. Flew many many hours in this plane to Mexico, Canada, Wyoming, Colorado etc. Great airplane. Sure miss it!
Wish I could share photos as it looked when we owned it. If the current owner is curious.)The paint scheme was original as shown in the POH for the E18s....mostly red with white and black trim. It was beautiful.
If I could have a personal aircraft, this would be it. I sat in the co-pilot's seat on a Beechcraft 99 from FLL to EYW and it was the thrill of a lifetime!!
The Twin Beech is a wonderful aircraft, for sure. It takes some effort to get it in the air, and the fuel burn makes it a bit expensive - but thoroughly enjoyable. Regards, Martin
Someone asked: Why a warbird? I received my Navy Wings of Gold in Sep 64. By the end of that month I had reported to my fleet squadron which was based in Norfolk, VA. I was a classic "Boot Ensign" with about 380 hours. Sometime towards the end of November, a LCDR named Willie asked me if I wanted to be his copilot and take one of our aircraft to the NAS Pensacola rework facility. We would then take one that was finished and bring it back to Norfolk. When we arrived in PNS we discovered that our pickup aircraft was not ready. But there was an SNB (Beech 18) ready for delivery to the Norfolk base Operations. We stayed the night on base and then picked up the SNB the next morning. After takeoff and at altitude, Willie says "You've got it". After about 15 minutes Willie says "I'm gonna take a nap. Wake me up when we're about 15 minutes from Norfolk". Willie went to sleep and I flew the thing all the way to the 'designated' point! I woke him up, he took over and landed. That was my one and only time in an SNB. But, there were plenty of them in the Navy during those days.
In the marines we called this bird an SNB. I used to catch hops in it around the field. I remember they used it a few time for GCA training when I rode in it. they would cover the windscreen and windows so the pilot could see out and the GCA people would talk him down
I used to jump out of an 18 in So. Cal. But it certainly wasn't as cherry as this one. Beautiful Bird this.. Took off in one many a time but never rode one back to the runway so this was a unique experience in a way. I totally agree about the sound of those engines. They never disappoint. Thank You for Posting!
Martin, thanks for yet another great video. Never been to the fly-in but flew my twin Travelair for many years and your camera work did it up right. Congratulations, my friend. Dave in Phoenix Arizona USA
Wow, really nice video. I went right seat to deliver a small load of Roller bearings to NJ from Akron Canton (Cak) for the Timken Co. in 1973. It was a really dark night over the trip to NJ. Beech 18 is an amazing plane. Thanks for the memories.
I admired your beautiful bird at Oshkosh. This video made my day. I flew in on Hairless Joe, a C-47, out of Willow Run in Ypsilanti, Michigan. So the vibes came through while watching. Bravo.
Thank you very much - glad you enjoyed watching it. Still not quite like actually flying it, but at least you got a chance to look at the real thing in Oshkosh. Best, Martin
My father in law owned one for his charter/cargo business in the 70s. He told a story of having it so filled with boxes he and his wife had to crawl through the windows. they were coming back from I think Arizona - he said he would trim it out and take a nap to the sound of the radials. We still have a fold out desk assembly with the tail number on it. I looked it up and the old plane is still flying. I was considering reaching out to see if the owner wanted the table. He passed away a couple years ago. I really miss his stories
This is absolutely beautiful. Growing up around general aviation and military aviation airshows, videos like these are a real treat. Thank you for sharing this with the world.
I've always said that if I could afford a twin I'd own a Beech 18. One of my disappoints in life is that I could never afford to buy one. Instead I ended up with a Cessna 175 and modified with a Lyc O-360, CS prop, Avcon STOL, new upholstery, new plexiglass. Still dream about a Beech 18.
I hadn't seen this. Came here after you mentioned it last night. This is awesome. I'm curious why it wouldn't have a steerable tailwheel. Seems like that would simplify grounds handling a lot.
Great video ...enjoyed the lack of editing ...gave a good feel for "what it was like". I had the immense pleasure a few years ago of flying right seat (I'm not a pilot, just a wannabe) on a milk run on the west coast of BC Canada. "Flying" a Beech 18 on floats, max 1500' between mountains, 8 stops onto fiords to pick up/deliver loggers and fishermen. The pilot was fabulous, a very relaxed wiry guy who seemed to be a part of the machine. Unforgettable.
Hi JR. I did talk to Jeff about this, but don't remember exactly. I do know he sold the airplane just very recently. I am very fortunate to have gotten a couple of rides in it! - Martin
where was this airport at., I never seen so many aircraft at one airport That was a great video. My Dad had a Biplane in the mid 1930s .And in the 1940s to the late 50s he bought a Cessna 140 they only cost about $3,000 new back then. He would fly it all over the place . I was just a baby back then. Dad had a few pictures of me and Mom in the Cessna.. He got me interested in flying when I was young. He would tell me all kind of flying stories and trips he took, He sold the plane in the late 50s, i ask why.? Dad said it was getting to expensive to fly back in the late 50s. Its very expensive to fly now. i all ways wanted to fly , but never could afford to.. I've flew a few times with other pilots and love it ;; Thanks for your video i enjoyed it
My pleasure, Norm. The airport is Oshkosh, WI. For one week each year, it becomes the busiest airport in the world, when EAA hosts their annual AirVenture fly-in. If you are curious, I made a video about AirVenture as well: ruclips.net/video/K5Ly3LDmWt4/видео.html Best regards, Martin
At 15:57 the 1-2 (twelve o'clock) probably was trying to tell you he's waiting on something ahead of him to move, and that he knew your wings and his would clear.
What are all the slides or signs that the flight station crew keeps managing, repositioning, and displaying up on the windscreen and instrument panel hood, and what are they for?
This is part of the communications procedure in Oshkosh. They are signs with the parking position (e.g. GAP = general aviation parking, WB = warbirds) or departure needs (IFR, VFR). Cuts down the radio transmissions. - Martin
I love seeing the 18's heritage showing in modern big Beech's-- the King Air's flaps, various knobs, switch layouts-- the older Barons' Prop/Throttle/Mixture arrangement-- windows are a mix off 99's/Queen/King Airs-- The cabin door and on and on. It reminds me of how the MD-80's cockpit window hardware is straight off the DC-3 line. Decades of good, solid designs.
I agree!
Man flying anything around Oshkosh during the big flying would be nerve-wracking but even more so with all those gyrations you have to go thru taxiing those wide wings around out there in the heat!
It's not relaxing, that's for sure - but quite doable, especially with two people in the cockpit.
- Martin
Wow what a generous soul to let everybody have a hands on the controls of his pride and joy, awesome.
The red Beech-18 aerobatic airshow at Oshkosh is one of the best flight demonstrations I've ever seen.
Hopefully we'll get to see it again in 2021.
- Martin
Had the privilege of getting a ride in what the military called the C-45 at NAS Saufley Field back in 67. Loved the ride and the plane.
I bet that was fun, Steve! 👍
- Martin
Used to service a yellow an black painted Beech for UPS Airlines. It was once used as a skydiving plane. We called it the Bumblebeech.
Many years ago, when I was young and full of overconfidence, I flew an H with tricycle gear to show to a potential buyer at his home airport. 1st flight in an 18, I was the pilot. What could happen, right? I had about 30 hours twin time - in a Cessna 310. Tried to land the Beech like I'd landed the 310. Found the 18 had the glide capability of a boulder. Very fortunate those P&W engines came back to life quickly. I survived the only obstacle landing I ever unknowingly attempted in a Twin Beech. Have flown a couple since, got some dual time first. Love the aircraft! Great video, Martin. Thanks for putting it up.
I was traveling salesman for a milling co. during the late 50's and early 60's. Our company owned a Twin Beech identical to this on. I enjoyed the many hours I traveled in this sweet plane,
It sure felt like a comfortable ride in the back!
- Martin
Martin, I rarely comment on RUclips but that video you made was really special.
I’m 51 and, after 33 years of flying, I finally got to Oshkosh this year for the first time. Obviously it was an amazing experience.
Your video showed a whole new perspective of what the show’s like. I’m so glad you put this together.
And a real classic machine as well!
Thanks.
Thank you, Greg.
And welcome to Oshkosh! Will you be back next year?
- Martin
Martin Pauly
I’d like to think so. Certainly my 12 year old son was pretty peeved that I went without him! So I gotta come back.
The only thing is it’s a fair trek from Melbourne, Australia. Still, Qantas starts direct flights to Chicago next year so it can’t get easier than that. 👍
I flew single pilot freight in Ds and Es to build time... Yours is much nicer than anything I flew but the sounds, the procedures, and the fact that everyone stops to watch when you taxi out/in.
Thank you for the trip down memory lane
Glad you enjoyed the video and the memories!
Regards, Martin
I first fell in love with radial sound when I was in HS back in 1960. Crop dusters in their stearmans would work my uncle's rice and soy bean fields in Daisetta, TX (near Beaumont) and I would help load and refuel them. When I was a Sr in HS I flagged for one summer season. Truly there is no sound quite like a 985 or a 1340. Man, such great memories.
This is one of the finest and most fun aviation videos I have watched in a long time. This is a quality video!
Dear Martin'
I could talk to you all day on aviation but this aircraft has me looking always at the beautiful cockpit windows.. Truly great... Geoff
Wow... One of my favorite planes but I don't recall anyone ever working so hard just to taxi. Awesome command of an aircraft.
I told Jeff today how much work this airplane is, in terms of managing all the systems and the thousands of levers, gauges and switches. Looks a lot more complicated than my Bonanza.
- Martin
Thank you for sharing your Beech 18, nice flying given the time and location! Too, pretty sharp of you giving your friends hands on exposure along with a lasting aviation experience.
flew one for a company maybe forty years ago. one thing about it was that you didn't use full throttle on takeoff. manifold pressure was limited to 36.5 " hg. as you climbed, you kept adding throttle. you wound up with the handles all the way up around 8000 ft. same thing with the p&w r-1340.
Correct, the engines are supercharged, and you have to watch manifold pressure as you advance the throttles for take-off.
Best, Martin
Interesting fact. When you raise the landing gear in a B-18 the center of gravity moves aft.
Please fill the oil and check the gas...this is a Beach 18 with a radial engine.
They have it in MSFS now. This is a wonderful plane to fly - virtually. The visibility is indeed excellent, I was wondering if my head position was somehow too high, but no, it's just that good. It flies so stable. Putting it on the ground is easy, slowing it down is a handful. Keeping an eye on all the gauges is almost infeasible under workload for one pilot. Luckily it does have an autopilot, even one that does not seem to want to kill you. It's not advanced enough to do that, which is refreshing.
Probably - and by that I mean absolutely - the most fun I ever had in a sim.
I look at MSFS videos often, now all of the Twin Beech videos keep popping up on my "recommended" pages! I wonder if this is a coincidence?
@@whammo11224 The algorithm knows ;) It’s quite cheap actually. And if not study level, close to it.
Built many years ago at Beech Aircraft right here in Wichita, Kansas. . .More than 7000 Beech 18's were produced here during World War II.
Nice to see B-18 in the sky one of the great machines built by Beechcraft great video , I am Canadian ( imported from Finland in -78 ) got my Ppl and Commercial right after my arrival to Canada with my multi and multi-IFR right after never made to Commercial Aviation ( got too old ) Flew jumpers for many years ( never could figure out someone jumping out of a perfectly good airplane !!) I got into ferry flying and ended up flying over 4000 hours as a ferry pilot ( loved flying in U.S ATC is the best in the world by any means ) I got passed on by aircraft dealers as a good kid ( i am machinery Technician by trade so I knew how to listen and feel the engines and plane alltogether. ( I was told this by an older very experienced Pilot as a former P-51 war time pilot that I had the privilege to fly with, I have a great respect to all of those that had to escort the bombers to Germany many Me 109s there with 20 mm cannons waiting luckily P-51s had the good old Browning .50 , well short life story All the best to you and being Christian and Love the western culture and freedom I would say God Bless !
Wow, you have had quite an aviation career! I bet the ferry pilot experience alone must have given you enough stories to fill a book.
Best regards, Martin
Does the F.A.A. still require a wing spar x-ray on the Beech 18 ? June 1976 two of our W.W. ll aircraft A&E teachers had to fly one from Logan Utah to Van Nuys CA to get the main wing spar x-rayed. They took four of us lucky enough students to go with them. Those two instructors are ghosts today , but I could tell they were re-living their glory days when piston radial engines were king ! They retired from teaching in the early 1980's. Maybe the best two days of my life were those two days. I miss my dad's generation.
Yes.
Thanks for sharing Martin great video, love the Beech 18. Don't you just love the sound of radial engines!
*Ear Candy!*
Yes - the radials are music to my ears!
- Martin
The 18 to me is the most beautiful plane!
That bird is good looking and seems to fly even better.
Agreed!
- Martin
The sweet music of the 985's with 2-bladers..quite hypnotic.
Nothing quite like the sound of a radial engine!
- Martin
Gorgeous and pristine D-18! Love the sound of those twin round engines. Brought back lots of fond FBO memories of my young adulthood. Nice job of flying it. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the kind feedback, Bruce!
- Martin
I remember when I was a little guy we had a little uncontrolled airport in our town. We had 3 Twin Beech like these based back there that I remember buzzed loudly on takeoff. The airport was closed back in the 90s.
They make quite the sound - music to my ears, though I know some people who would call it noise and complain about it.
- Martin
For my fellow aviators, at 15:55 the T6 pilot making the “one two” gesture is asking if he’s good for single file or double file taxi. If double file he’s cleared to pass the wing tip. Motorcyclists adopted this and still use this gesture today.
I did not know that - thanks for teaching me something new today! 👍
- Martin
3000+ hours in beech flying freight for May Air. DFW-LBB,MAF,SHV. Thank you for the memories . I miss that bird. 9682R , 41A , Nice video.
Thanks, Tiffany. Glad to hear you enjoyed the video.
- Martin
I've always loved and dreamed about Beech twins. Thanks for the ride!
You are welcome, Neil.
- Martin
Nice. I flew them on floats where you could carry 10 passengers, provisions for a week, a 12 foot aluminum boat strapped to the belly and a whole lot of gas.
Qqqqqqqqqqqq111 q
Nicest Beech I ever flew was a King Air F-90 from Opa Locka Beech maintenance to West Palm. Liked it better than the KA 200 on the same leg. Martin's smile tells me he's itching for a twin.
Oh, a twin would be nice - but not affordable for me currently. And really, I have no complaints about the Bonanza - it's a very good airplane, as long as that engine keeps running. :-)
- Martin
What a gorgeous Beech18! I think the Beech 18 is one of the most gorgeous aircraft flying today :) The Staggerwing may be THE most gorgeous. Tough call
Hard to argue with your "most beautiful airplane" ranking, Michael!
- Martin
Very nice flight thanks for taking me along.
My pleasure - glad you enjoyed it!
- Martin
...now THAT'S an airplane...what a beautiful sound...
No argument about the sound of those radial engines!
- Martin
I too love the sound of 985's. In the early 70's I was a lineboy for a guy that had a dozen or so twin beeches which he used on mail contracts. Us lineboys would help load the mail and then ride along. I did manage to bounce one once but never ground looped. Only airplane the owner ever had wrecked was when someone ran one off the side of the runway for an unknown reason. Bobby Younkin used to fly the mail before he started in the air show business.
Wonderful video of a magnificent aircraft at Oshkosh which is a very special place in my heart. Thank you for sharing this. 👏👏👏👏
What a wonderful plane - Thanks for the virtual ride! :)
You are very welcome - glad you enjoyed the virtual flight in this beauty!
- Martin
Yeah, hi twin beach yonder. This is Robert again. I will say this. It don't matter what cabinet airplane it is, if it's got wings. I can fly it even airlines. I can fly them all right. Thank you again. And that's one beautiful wayirplane that you have thanks.
Great job with camera and audio to put us virtually right in the airplane. Thank you very much!
Thanks, Allen - glad you enjoyed it.
- Martin
Back in 80 at EAA I got to watch Hoover, the Christian Eagles with Leo Loudenslager and the Poberzneys and I got to meet the great Art Scholl . WOWZER ! For an 18 YO kid I was heaven. Thats a beautiful 18. The interior is luxo ... I got to watch Leo do a 16 point roll.. flat stunning. That was the first time I saw the jaw dropping Helio Courier do its stuff. Awesome mammories...
Those are great memories. My first time in Oshkosh was in 1999, I think. I remember being overwhelmed - it was huge (and still is today). I remember seeing Bob Hoover fly in the air show.
- Martin
Had the co pilots seat in one of these during a sunset parachute drop in Australia.
I fly myself but this was magic.
In 1955 or 6 I worked part-time at a FBO at Blythe, CA, and rubbed out new wing panels on an unknown year twin Beech. What a workout on the underneath. Basically I worked for a couple of flights. I also worked at least one Powder Puff Derby in that time frame, servicing those who needed fuel or breaks.
Always loved the twin Beech. A B18 in natural metal is about the prettiest of the classic aircraft flying...
I think the paint distracts from the beauty of the plane. I think they look awesome without any paint
Looks like a great place for ADS-B IN and Out so everyone can see each other on a easy to see cockpit display. Always loved these 18's since I was a mech on them back in the early 70's. I've got about 100 hours taxi time and about 6 hours right seat in 18's. If someone can successfully taxi these things, learning to fly them is a piece of cake.
Agree on all counts!
- Martin
Dear Martin
Beautiful, This aircraft built and designed before i'ts time in my view ...
It sure set direction for the future. If you look at all the big cabin class twins built since then - the King Air, the Cessna 300s and 400s, etc. - they all more or less look like the Twin Beech.
Regards,
Martin
This plane has been in the skies for decades
Beautiful old twin engine airplane of yesteryear
Agree 100%.
- Martin
That C47 at 42:50 is absolutely something to see, the history that aircraft has seen and the job it did.
What a beautiful bird! One of my all time favorites.
A flight sim model building genius named Milton Shupe made a fantastic beech18 for Microsoft flight sim FS2004 and updated to work in Microsoft FSX.
I know it's nothing like real world flying, but I spent many hours in the cockpit of his awesome FS model. Lot of fun!
Awesome! Flight Simulator is how I started learning about instrument flying back when I was a teenager - the graphics back then were really nothing to write home about, and it's amazing how good the scenery and also the airplanes themselves look in the modern version of Flight Simulator. You've probably seen the previews of MS Flight Simulator 2020 - unbelievable!
Best regards, Martin
Great job recording and sharing excitement. Enjoyed.
One of the best piston twin.
Certainly one of the best-looking!
- Martin
This was my fathers airplane from the late 80s through the early/mid 90s. He completely restored the plane during that timeframe. It still has the same interior as then but the paint scheme was changed from the original executive paint scheme to the current military type scheme. Flew many many hours in this plane to Mexico, Canada, Wyoming, Colorado etc. Great airplane. Sure miss it!
Wish I could share photos as it looked when we owned it. If the current owner is curious.)The paint scheme was original as shown in the POH for the E18s....mostly red with white and black trim. It was beautiful.
Lovely aircraft and great flying! I was pressing imaginary rudder pedals all the way .....smooth landing too - thanks!
Thanks, George - glad you enjoyed it.
- Martin
@@martinpauly dam you must have enjoyed listening to the beautiful sound of the engines
If I could have a personal aircraft, this would be it. I sat in the co-pilot's seat on a Beechcraft 99 from FLL to EYW and it was the thrill of a lifetime!!
The Twin Beech is a wonderful aircraft, for sure. It takes some effort to get it in the air, and the fuel burn makes it a bit expensive - but thoroughly enjoyable.
Regards, Martin
Someone asked: Why a warbird? I received my Navy Wings of Gold in Sep 64. By the end of that month I had reported to my fleet squadron which was based in Norfolk, VA. I was a classic "Boot Ensign" with about 380 hours. Sometime towards the end of November, a LCDR named Willie asked me if I wanted to be his copilot and take one of our aircraft to the NAS Pensacola rework facility. We would then take one that was finished and bring it back to Norfolk. When we arrived in PNS we discovered that our pickup aircraft was not ready. But there was an SNB (Beech 18) ready for delivery to the Norfolk base Operations. We stayed the night on base and then picked up the SNB the next morning. After takeoff and at altitude, Willie says "You've got it". After about 15 minutes Willie says "I'm gonna take a nap. Wake me up when we're about 15 minutes from Norfolk". Willie went to sleep and I flew the thing all the way to the 'designated' point! I woke him up, he took over and landed. That was my one and only time in an SNB. But, there were plenty of them in the Navy during those days.
What a nice story, Bill - thanks for sharing!
Best, Martin
The traffic management on the ground is what struck me!
Martin this was awesome what a treat to get a ride on a classic.
Glad you liked it, Michael.
- Martin
In the marines we called this bird an SNB. I used to catch hops in it around the field. I remember they used it a few time for GCA training when I rode in it. they would cover the windscreen and windows so the pilot could see out and the GCA people would talk him down
I used to jump out of an 18 in So. Cal. But it certainly wasn't as cherry as this one. Beautiful Bird this..
Took off in one many a time but never rode one back to the runway so this was a unique experience in a way.
I totally agree about the sound of those engines. They never disappoint.
Thank You for Posting!
Great video! Thanks for the experience. I felt almost as I was there :)
My pleasure - thanks for riding along!
- Martin
That was a smooth landing. Well done. Greetings from Arizona.
Nice job by Jeff. Operating a Twin Beach demo flight in that busy environment gave me a bit of a pucker ...
Martin, thanks for yet another great video. Never been to the fly-in but flew my twin Travelair for many years and your camera work did it up right. Congratulations, my friend. Dave in Phoenix Arizona USA
Thanks for the kind words, Dave.
- Martin
Wow, really nice video. I went right seat to deliver a small load of Roller bearings to NJ from Akron Canton (Cak) for the Timken Co. in 1973. It was a really dark night over the trip to NJ. Beech 18 is an amazing plane. Thanks for the memories.
My pleasure, Gary.
- Martin
What a sweet ride. Another great adventure Martin, thanks and take care.
Thanks, John!
- Martin
What could go wrong with an old fashioned! 🥃
Awesome plane and the co-pilot had his crap together for somebody that was just getting a ride wow good job guys thank you very much
Good observation Scott. The copilot on this take-off is actually a Beech 18 pilot himself, so he is quite familiar with everything.
Regards, Martin
@@martinpauly well that explains that thank you very much for the response may God bless
I admired your beautiful bird at Oshkosh. This video made my day. I flew in on Hairless Joe, a C-47, out of Willow Run in Ypsilanti, Michigan. So the vibes came through while watching. Bravo.
Thank you very much - glad you enjoyed watching it. Still not quite like actually flying it, but at least you got a chance to look at the real thing in Oshkosh.
Best, Martin
Ahh, i remember these well. I flew a dirty old cargo one way back in the 70’s in Texas. Thanks for the video.
My father in law owned one for his charter/cargo business in the 70s. He told a story of having it so filled with boxes he and his wife had to crawl through the windows. they were coming back from I think Arizona - he said he would trim it out and take a nap to the sound of the radials.
We still have a fold out desk assembly with the tail number on it. I looked it up and the old plane is still flying. I was considering reaching out to see if the owner wanted the table.
He passed away a couple years ago. I really miss his stories
You are welcome, Richard - glad you enjoyed the video.
- Martin
This is absolutely beautiful. Growing up around general aviation and military aviation airshows, videos like these are a real treat. Thank you for sharing this with the world.
Thank you, James. Happy to hear you enjoyed this video,
- Martin
Man that looked like fun. Thanks for bringing us along!!
Glad you liked it, Mike!
- Martin
And as we know from "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", it has a fully stocked bar which is deployed by pressing the button marked "booze".
That's beautiful! Looks better than new!
Yes, Jeff (and the previous owners) have taken really good care of this airplane.
- Martin
Great video Martin,love the Beech 18.
Thanks, Angel. A beautiful airplane indeed!
- Martin
Lovely aircraft and great flying! Greetings from an old Pilot 79 y..soon 80,,,,
Thanks, Karl.
- Martin
What an amazing bird!
Pure love!
Agree 100%!
- Martin
I've always said that if I could afford a twin I'd own a Beech 18. One of my disappoints in life is that I could never afford to buy one. Instead I ended up with a Cessna 175 and modified with a Lyc O-360, CS prop, Avcon STOL, new upholstery, new plexiglass. Still dream about a Beech 18.
There sure are worse dreams than that, Douglas!
- Martin
Douglas Rodrigues Nothing wrong with that man. Your conversion is a solid one. Assume it helped w weight and balance.
I hadn't seen this. Came here after you mentioned it last night. This is awesome. I'm curious why it wouldn't have a steerable tailwheel. Seems like that would simplify grounds handling a lot.
Thanks, Bryan! With 100LL prices going towards zero, this would be a fun plane to own and fly!
- Martin
wow what an awesome gift to a young student pilot!
I was on the edge of my seat watching this pilot... that plane is a real handful to handle!
Yes, it was very nice of Jeff to offer that.
- Martin
A twin Beech flys like an overgrown J-3 except for the first 30 mph and the last 30 mph.
As the kids say today. "Sweet Ride". Thanks Martin.
My pleasure, John.
- Martin
Great video ...enjoyed the lack of editing ...gave a good feel for "what it was like". I had the immense pleasure a few years ago of flying right seat (I'm not a pilot, just a wannabe) on a milk run on the west coast of BC Canada. "Flying" a Beech 18 on floats, max 1500' between mountains, 8 stops onto fiords to pick up/deliver loggers and fishermen. The pilot was fabulous, a very relaxed wiry guy who seemed to be a part of the machine. Unforgettable.
"Be a part of the machine" - I bet that's how it has to be to fly an airplane like this.
- Martin
Gr8 Flight Martin...That Pilot is a good Captian too!! Hey Martin , did you ask Jeff what he purchased that Beautiful beach Bird!!!
Hi JR. I did talk to Jeff about this, but don't remember exactly. I do know he sold the airplane just very recently. I am very fortunate to have gotten a couple of rides in it!
- Martin
where was this airport at., I never seen so many aircraft at one airport That was a great video. My Dad had a Biplane in the mid 1930s .And in the 1940s to the late 50s he bought a Cessna 140 they only cost about $3,000 new back then. He would fly it all over the place . I was just a baby back then. Dad had a few pictures of me and Mom in the Cessna.. He got me interested in flying when I was young. He would tell me all kind of flying stories and trips he took, He sold the plane in the late 50s, i ask why.? Dad said it was getting to expensive to fly back in the late 50s. Its very expensive to fly now. i all ways wanted to fly , but never could afford to.. I've flew a few times with other pilots and love it ;; Thanks for your video i enjoyed it
My pleasure, Norm. The airport is Oshkosh, WI. For one week each year, it becomes the busiest airport in the world, when EAA hosts their annual AirVenture fly-in. If you are curious, I made a video about AirVenture as well: ruclips.net/video/K5Ly3LDmWt4/видео.html
Best regards,
Martin
woow what a nice ride!! beautiful airplane, nice flight! thanks 4 sharing
Yes, she's a beauty. I feel fortunate I got to fly in her.
- Martin
Fantastic video. Just loved it ! Thanks !
Thank you, Mark.
- Martin
AHHHHH Radials....such sweet music !
Agreed - this radials are music to my ears!
- Martin
@@martinpauly great video......wow you are fast......you just retracted your gear in the video.
Got that right brother!
Can't help but to think of Jim Bachus, Buddy Hackett and Mickey Rooney
This is my personal opinion......the Beech 18 is the second most sexiest multi passenger aircraft made......The first is a Beech staggerwing.
Both are extremely nice looking airplanes, I agree.
I have yet to fly in a Staggering... one day!
- Martin
At 15:57 the 1-2 (twelve o'clock) probably was trying to tell you he's waiting on something ahead of him to move, and that he knew your wings and his would clear.
An absolutely beautiful aircraft.
I agree, Gary.
- Martin
I rode the right seat of a Navy C-47 (King air) on a cross country in 1965. Quite an experience.
One Beautiful Plane, meticulously maintained wow!.
Absolutely, Peter.
- Martin
@@martinpauly this plane the beech18 sounds so awesome
@@ahmadtheaviationlover1937 I agree 100%
- Martin
Pampa, Texas, appreciates the video!!
Glad you enjoyed it, Steve!
- Martin
The Traffic management at Oshkosh is utterly fantastic.......
Agreed!
- Martin
What are all the slides or signs that the flight station crew keeps managing, repositioning, and displaying up on the windscreen and instrument panel hood, and what are they for?
This is part of the communications procedure in Oshkosh. They are signs with the parking position (e.g. GAP = general aviation parking, WB = warbirds) or departure needs (IFR, VFR). Cuts down the radio transmissions.
- Martin
I think that is the '18 that was owned by Phillips Oil Copany in Bartlesville, OK.
Takes guts flying an ancient bird like this one. Kudos.
"Ancient bird?" My plane was only 4 years newer, and it's still flying under new ownership.
Great -- beautifully filmed too!
Thank you, Frans - and yes, if Avgas prices go negative like crude oil already has, this plane will make any owner rich!
- Martin