In 1940-41 the Beech 
         Aircraft Company designed an advanced multi-engine trainer for ease and 
         speed of manufacture on a large scale and named it the "Wichita." To 
         conserve scarce metals needed for combat aircraft, Beech built the 
         airframe out of plywood with only the engine cowlings and cockpit 
         enclosure constructed of aluminium. The fuel tanks also were made of 
         wood and covered with neoprene, a synthetic rubber. The extensive use 
         of wood permitted Beech to subcontract the production of many 
         components to furniture makers and other firms. This advanced trainer, 
         designated the AT-10, had superior performance among twin engine 
         trainers of its type and over half of the Army Air Force's pilots 
         received transitional training from single- to multi-engine aircraft in 
         them. Between 1941 and 1943 Beech built 1,771 AT-10s and Globe Aircraft 
         Corporation (which became Temco after World War II) built 600 in 
         Dallas, Texas. The Museum placed this AT-10 on display in June 1997.
          
         SPECIFICATIONS
          
         Span: 44 ft. 0 in.  
         Length: 34 ft. 4 in.  
         Height: 10 ft. 4 in.  
         Weight: 6,465 lbs.  
         Armament: None  
         Engine: Two Lycoming R-680-9 radials of 295 hp. each  
         PERFORMANCE
          
         Maximum speed: Approximately 190 mph/165 knots  
         Range: Approximately 660 statute miles/572 nautical miles  
         Service Ceiling: Approximately 20,000 ft.   |