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An opportunity to be part of history
Come join us as we preserve the past, enjoy thepresent, and promote the future!
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The Beechcraft Heritage Museum is a
distinctly original one-of-a-kind, living and
working aviation museum that traces the
lineage of the Beechcraft family of airplanes.
The Museum began life as the Staggerwing
Museum Foundation, incorporated in October
of 1973, under the auspices of the Staggerwing
Club. In April 2007, the Museum became the
Beechcraft Heritage Museum. This change
reects our commitment to promoting aviation
education and preserving the heritage nurtured
by generations of enthusiasts of all Beechcraft
models from 1932 through the present. No
matter what area of this history which
branch of the family tree interests you most,
youll nd it here. We invite you to join us.
The Museum is situated in a picturesque
campus-style setting adjacent to the
Tullahoma, Tennessee, Regional Airport
(THA). An attractive blend of authenticallyrestored early American log structures and
modern museum-quality construction, this
60,000 square foot facility currently houses
more than two-dozen aircraft, plus many
aviation artifacts and memorabilia for the
enjoyment of our Members and visitors.
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The Museums history begins early in the
annals o aviation in this country. Walter
H. Beech was born in 1891 and raised
in nearby Pulaski, Tennessee. In 1924,
prior to ounding the Beech Aircrat
Company, he, along with Clyde Cessna,
and Lloyd Stearman, became principals in
the newly ormed Travel Air Manuacturing
Company, located in Wichita, Kansas.
1891
Walter BeechInducted to
Aviation HOF
Olive Ann BeechInducted to
Aviation HOF
Passing ofWalter Beech
Birth ofWalter Beech
Birth of Olive AnnMellor (Beech)
First Model 17Beechcraft
Beech, Cessna, and Stearman,become principals in Travel Air
Manufacturing Company
Founding of BeechcraftAviation Company
Travel Airmanufactures
first Model 1000
Introduction ofthe V-tail
Beechcraft Bonanza
Thaden and Noyes winBendix Trophy Race
Twin Engine BeechcraftModel 18 Introduced
Travel Airacquired by
Curtiss-Wright
Staggerwing MuseumFoundation Incorporated
Staggerwing Museumbecomes Beechcraft
Heritage Museum
1891 925 946 973 2007903 1932
1929 Travel Air Model 4000
1925 Travel Air Model 1000, c/n 1
Mystery Ship, c/n 1 NR614K
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Each o these legendary aviation pioneers
soon ounded successul aircrat companies
bearing their respective names.
Today, we are proud to have three examples
o the early Travel Air: the companys rst
production aircrat Ole Number One a1925 Model 1000 on loan rom the EAA
AirVenture Museum, plus a 1929 Model
4000 the model in which Louise Thaden
won the 1929 Womens Air Derby. A third
example, currently under restoration, is the
amous 1929 Travel Air Model R Mystery
Ship, NR614K the rst o only ve built,
and the winner o the Free or All speedevent at the 1929 Cleveland Air Races.
In August o 1929, Travel Air became a major
subsidiary o the giant Curtiss-Wright
Corporation, and by early 1932, as President
o the Curtiss Wright Airplane Company, Walter
Beech believed that the market was in need
o a high-speed, our-place cabin biplane.
When he attempted to interest Curtiss-Wright
senior management in producing this new
aircrat by presenting the concept drawings o
engineer Ted Wells, they reused, citing the harsh
economic climate as the reason. Consequently,
Walter resigned rom Curtiss-Wright to ound
the Beech Aircrat Company on April 19, 1932.
His partners were his wie, Olive Ann Beech,Ted Wells, K.K. Shaul, and investor C.G. Yankey.
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The rst Beechcrat, aModel 17R, registered
NC499N, was test fown by Wilbur Pete Hill on
Nov. 5, 1932, less than seven months ater the
company was ounded. The aircrat served as the
Beechcrat demonstrator until May 24, 1934, when it
was purchased by the Ethyl Corporation. Unortunatelythe aircrat was severely damaged in upstate New
York on Dec. 11, 1935. Nearly 50 years later, in
1984, Museum member Stephen Pster located
the planes wreckage where it had been buried
and began the meticulous reconstruction eort.
The Staggerwing Museum Foundation purchased
the aircrat, completed its restoration, and dedicated
NC499N in honor o Pster on October 8, 1990.As the rst aircrat built by the Beech Aircrat
Company, this beautiul restoration is our
museums centerpiece. Ocially designated as
the Beechcrat Model 17R-1, NC499N became
aectionately known to pilots as the Beechcrat
Staggerwing. Throughout its lie, this aircrat has
become amous as the rst o many thousands o
its Beechcrat siblings noted or their beauty,quality, speed, and excellent fight characteristics.
Staggerwing No.1 resides in the Beech Center
immediately adjacent to the main entrance. This area
also currently houses the git shop, as well as a
general-purpose area, lounge, and catering acilities.
BOB BURNS TULLAHOMA 2008
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The initial inspiration or the 1973 ounding o the
Museum by the Staggerwing Club came rom
amed pioneer aviatrix Louise Thaden. Flying a
stock 1936 C17R Staggerwing, she and co-
pilot Blanche Noyes won rst place in the 1936
Bendix Trophy Race, besting racing proessionals
and military aircrat in a one-day fight rom New
York to Los Angeles. The Louise Thaden Library,
housed in an authentically restored log structure,displays the prestigious 1936 Bendix trophy, her
1929 Womens Air Derby trophy, and many other
artiacts honoring her aerial accomplishments.
This area includes other displays o the early
Beechcrat years and room or social activities.
The frst Beechcrat ever built,
the 1932 Model 17R-1
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Dedicated in 1975, the adjacent Walter
H. Beech Hangar houses our Travel Airs,
and several o the early Staggerwings
including a 1934 B17L, and a 1936 C17B.
A restored collection o aircrat paint
schemes demonstrates the approach to
custom aircrat building taken by the Beech
Aircrat Company in the early years.
Adjoining the Walter Beech hangar is
the Olive Ann Beech Gallery and Chapel.
Following her husbands death in 1950,
Mrs. Beech became President and
CEO, retiring in 1982 as Chairman o
the Board. This delightully restored
Tennessee log cabin, containing urniture
rom Mrs. Beechs corporate oce, is
popular with Members and is used orocial unctions and has been the site o
numerous weddings.
The Museums rst major expansion
occurred in 1995 with the addition o the
Twin Beech 18 Society. Following on the
heels o the immensely popular Model 17,the Model 18 Twin Beech was introduced
by Beech Aircrat in 1937. This airplane is
arguably the most versatile general aviation
aircrat ever developed, enjoying a civilian/
military production run o nearly 8,000
aircrat over 33 years.
On display in the Alton E. Chuck CianchetteHangar is one o only three existing pre-World
War II examples o the Model 18D. This 1938
1938 Twin Beech Model 18D, c/n178, the 11th Twin Beech builtand one o only three remainingpre-world War II models.
BOB BURNS TULLAHOMA 2008
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aircrat was used by Prairie Airways, a Canadian
regional airline. Visitors will also nd a military
version o the Model 18, designated the C-45.
Several thousand other military versions
served throughout the world during the war.
Also displayed is a 1959 Super E18S Miss
Maine, which served in the fight department
o several corporations during its career.
Are you one of the thousands who love
the great Bonanza and Baron airplanes?
I so, youll be pleased to know that the
Bonanza / Baron Museum division was
launched in 2003. With a master plancalling or a total o 90,000 square eet,
the rst phase o hangar construction was
dedicated in 2004, ollowed by the second
phase in 2006. Among
the treasures in this
hangar are two o the
oldest 1947 Beechcrat
Model 35 Bonanzas, therst Model 55 Baron
built in 1960, and
the 1/5 scale original
Bonanza wind tunnel
models rom 1945. Also
eatured is a turbine-
powered A-36 Bonanza,
which was fown aroundthe world on our
separate occasions.
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Are you a fan or student of aircraft design
and engineering? An exhibit known as the
Olive Ann Beech Staggerwing, a 1938
E17B, is displayed without its abric covering
so that our visitors may appreciate the
intricate design details o these ascinatingaircrat. The Staggerwing was one o the rst
general aviation aircrat to undergo wind
tunnel testing as well as eature a retractable
landing gear. Mrs. Beech donated the
original 1933 engineering artiacts used or
this development.
An especially unique exhibit is a one-o-a-kind
actual Bonanza V-35B cutaway. This
aircrat was displayed in the Smithsonians
Washington D.C., Air & Space Museum ater
being built to highlight the details o an all-metal
aircrats construction, the V-tail controlsystem, and the engine details.
An example o modern aircrat construction
is represented by the all-composite Beechcrat
Model 2000A Starship. The design eatures
pusher engines and a canard wing layout
intended to provide jet-like perormance
with turboprop eciency. The Starshippioneered the use o an all-graphite composite
airrame, instead o aluminum, as the rst
such civilian aircrat to be ully certied
by the FAA. Much o the technology and
experience gained is now being used in
current and proposed aircrat construction.
1994 Model 2000A, c/n 49, one o only 53 built.
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BOB BURNS TULLAHOMA 2008
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As a Museum Member, youll play a
valuable role in the important work o
passing the history o aviation on to
uture generations through youth
programs designed to promote aviation.
We are an EAA Air Academy satellite
location using a hands-on aviation based
program to promote interest in science
and mathematics or students Ages 10-16.
Students attending the Air Academy
have their tuition paid by our Scot Perry
Education Fund. And our educational
eorts arent limited just to youth. Adult
members benet rom our Aircrat
Maintenance Seminars. These include
topics such as Beechcrat Model 17 and
18 Landing Gear Retraction, Radial
Engine Operation, Spar and Inspection
procedures, and the broad-based
knowledge and experience across all
Beechcrat models that youll be able to
share as a Museum member.
As a Museum Member, you will also
receive the Beechcraft Heritage
Museum magazine and ree Museum
admission throughout the year. You,
your amily, and guests will also benet rom
invitations to register each year or the
Museums annual Beech Party plus other
Museum activities. This is your opportunity to
enjoy the camaraderie o socializing with
riends, making new acquaintances and
participating in educational seminars. Our
unique acilities, inormative museum programs,
and a broad variety o recreational activities
oered by the surrounding area make this an
ideal relaxing vacation destination.
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M E M B E R S H I P F O R MBeechcraft Heritage Museum
P.O. Box 550 Tullahoma, TN 37388(931) 455-1974 (931) 455-1994 (fax)
email: [email protected]: www.beechcratheritagemuseum.org
Please TYPE or PRINT
MEMBERSHIP TYPE: oNew oRenewal
RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP: Staggerwing # ____________TravelAir # ________________18 Society # ______________ Bonanza-Baron # ___________
NAME: ________________________________________________________________________LAST FIRST NICKNAME
SPOUSE: _______________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:* ____________________________________________________________________ STREET
________________________________________________________________________________CITY STATE COUNTRY ZIP
*your newsletter will be mailed to this address unless otherwise specifed.
PHONES: ______________________________________________________________________HOME BUSINESS
________________________________________________________________________________FACSIMILE MOBILE
E-ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________ E-MAIL WEBSITE
DUES:
oAnnual Membership:USA - $50; Foreign - $60 (USD)
oLifetime Membership:$1000 - may be paid in two installments of $500 within six months.
Please make checks payable to: Beechcraft Heritage MuseumPlease indicate your aircraft of choice:
oTravel Air oStaggerwing oTwin Beech
oBonanza oBaron oOther Beechcraft
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A I R P L A N E O W N E R S*not required or membership
Model ________________________________ Year __________________________________
S/N __________________________________ Regis. ________________________________
Engine ________________________________ Status ________________________________
We would like to have PICTURES and INFO of your airplanes,
projects, & family to share with the other members of the
Museum via the Newsletter! Thank you!
Beechcraft Heritage MuseumP.O. Box 550
Tullahoma, TN 37388
PLEASE PLACE
FIRST CLASS
POSTAGE HERE
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The Beechcrat Heritage Museum is a tax-
exempt, nonprot, 501(c)(3) corporation,
so contributions are tax-deductible. The
Museums operations are unded by annual
memberships, donations to the Friends
o the Museum program, and income rom
our investment portolio. Contributionopportunities include annual or lietime
memberships; donations to the investment,
education, or building expansion unds;
endowment gits; as well as a donation or
loan o aviation artiacts and display aircrat.
Annual Membership Dues are only $50 ($60
USD oreign), and Lietime Memberships
$1000, payable in two installments i you wish.
There is so much to be gained or such a
small investment. The Beechcrat amily o
airplanes has a storied and glorious history,
one that continues to this day. This is an
opportunity or you to be part o that history.
Please join us today and add your own
branch to the Beechcrat amily tree.
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Major Highways Direct to Museum:Interstate I-24, Exit 111, take Highway 55 South through Tullahoma to Highway 130 North;
travel West 1/2 mile to Beechcraft Heritage Museum. We are 70 miles Southeast of Nashville
and 70 miles Northwest of Chattanooga.
Flying to the Museum?
Tullahoma Regional Airport (THA)AWOS-3: 128.325 UNICOM: 123.0
Museum located on the eld south end of RWY 36
HOURS of OPERATION (March 1 November 30 Only)Tuesday Saturday 8:30 AM 4:30 PM
Open by appointment December through February
ADMISSIONAdults (18+) $10.00 per person Students (12-17) $5.00 Children (11 and under) FREE
Museum Members FREEGroups - Call 931-455-1974
P.O. Box 550 570 Old Shelbyville Highway Tullahoma, TN 37388
931-455-1974
TULLAHOMA MUNICIPALAIRPORT
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