By Randy Malmstrom
Beech UC-43 Traveler (Model 17 Staggerwing). The Model 17 was initially introduced in 1933 as a civil aircraft and became a very popular racer (but apparently banned after 1970 out of safety concerns). Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN engine and built of a steel tube frame, wooden formers, and originally covered with Grade A cotton. It first saw military use in the Spanish Civil War, then in China, and to a small extent in Finland.
In all, about 400 of these aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces and U.S. Navy during World War II for utility, reconnaissance, and transport duties – including U.S. air attaches at the American Embassies in London, Paris, and Rome. Approximately 118 of them were requisitioned from private owners for military use during WWII. The stagger wing configuration provides excellent maneuverability and mitigates stall tendencies while maximizing pilot visibility. My photos at Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
Editor’s notes: The Staggerwing on display at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum was originally constructed as manufacturer’s number 305 at the Beech Aircraft Corporation plant in Wichita, Kansas, in 1939 as a Model D17A, powered by a Wright R-760-E2 Whirlwind radial engine. The aircraft was registered as NC19453 and was later equipped with a Wright R-975 Whirlwind. In May 1942, NC19453 was impressed into the United States Army Air Force as the only UC-43F and was issued the USAAF serial number 42-49071. In July 1943, UC-43F 42-49071 was transferred to the US Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), the precursor to the FAA. In 1946, the aircraft was sold by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to Alamo Airline Service, where it was re-registered as N50959. By 1990, it was owned by John L. Harbor of Central Point, Oregon, and was later donated to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.
About the author
Randy Malmstrom grew up in a family steeped in aviation culture. His father, Bob, was still a cadet in training with the USAAF at the end of WWII, but did serve in Germany during the U.S. occupation in the immediate post-war period, where he had the opportunity to fly in a wide variety of types that flew in WWII. After returning to the States, Bob became a multi-engine aircraft sales manager and, as such, flew a wide variety of aircraft; Randy frequently accompanied him on these flights. Furthermore, Randy’s cousin, Einar Axel Malmstrom, flew P-47 Thunderbolts with the 356th FG from RAF Martlesham Heath. He was commanding this unit at the time he was shot down over France on April 24th, 1944, and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner of war. Following his repatriation at war’s end, Einar continued his military service, attaining the rank of Colonel. He was serving as Deputy Wing Commander of the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing at Great Falls AFB, MT, at the time of his death in a T-33 training accident on August 21, 1954. The base was renamed in his honor in October 1955 and continues to serve in the present USAF as home to the 341st Missile Wing. Randy’s innate interest in history in general, and aviation history in particular, plus his educational background and passion for WWII warbirds, led him down his current path of capturing detailed aircraft walk-around photos and in-depth airframe histories, recording a precise description of a particular aircraft in all aspects.
