Structurally, the Staggerwing uses an odd mixture of materials and methods. The fuselage has a basic framework of welded steel tube over which is a web of wooden formers and stringers to shape the fabric covering. The upper wings and lower wings are all wood: wood spars, wood truss ribs, and again fabric skin. The landing gear employs big metal springs instead of oleos, and it is electrically operated. The whole airplane is quite beautifully built. The Staggerwing's structure has proved lastingly strong, except for an ugly era of flutter failures of the top wing, which Beech quickly cured by aileron balancing and plywood stiffening for the wing tips.

More improvements to the breed followed. The C-Model Staggerwing gained a shorter landing gear and had the flaps on the lower wing to improve ground handling. The D-Model had a longer rear fuselage and ailerons were moved to the top mainplane. All of these early modifications were to obtain better ground control.

The final Staggerwing was the post war G17S, embodying a number of improvements that had been hanging fire during the war years. The G17S featured a cleaned-up cowl line (I personally prefer the old cowl lines), windshield and gear doors, bigger tail controls and a still more luxurious interior. Only 20 G17s were built and only a handful survive today - making them the most prized of all Staggerwings.

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Last modified: September 19, 2000