Beechcraft Staggerwing

The Beechcraft Staggerwing is a biplane with, unusually, a backward stagger (the lower wing is further forward than the upper wing). It was the first aircraft built by the Beech Aircraft Corporation. The company was founded in 1932 and the original Staggerwing, Model 17R first flew on November 4th of that year. It was available with either a 225 hp (168 kW) or 420 hp (313 kW) engine and the price ranged from $14,000 to $17,000, a princely sum during the Great Depression. Staggerwings had a top speed of over 200 mph (320 km/h), faster than military aircraft of the time. During World War II over 270 were produced for the war effort. The last Staggerwing, Model G17-S sold for $29,000. Production ended in 1948 after 781 aircraft were built and the last Staggerwing left the factory in 1949.