THE BONANZA'S HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

IN 1944, DURING WORLD WAR 2, the Beechcraft Model 26, known as the AT-10 Wichita, was the first Beech Aircraft design to fly with a V-tail empennage

The flight test programme centred on investigating stability and control characteristics of the unusual configuration.

In the wake of World War II, America’s lethargic general aviation market was ripe for a plane that was fast, comfortable and above all, affordable. Walter H. Beech and his “Beech Boys” answered that call with the all-metal Model 35 Bonanza.

After suffering through the war, the American general aviation market exploded with demand for new aircraft. The market seemed unlimited, and sales of planes built by Cessna Piper, Taylorcraft, and other airframe manufacturers skyrocketed.

Walter Beech knew that to compete, his company would need a game-changing plane. He put Ralph Harmon in charge of a group dedicated to bringing the project to fruition by 1945. As the plane’s design evolved, automotive stylist Wayne Porter joined the team to make the new Beechcraft attractive inside and out.

Throughout the design process, the engineering team had made every effort to reduce drag, and a V-tail arrangement was favoured over the conventional configuration. The reason for that choice centred not only on drag reduction and weight (two surfaces instead of three), but also because a V-tail could be located higher on the fuselage to avoid turbulent airflow coming off the wing.