By Randy Malmstrom
Beechcraft Model E18S (or “Twin Beech”) “Kilroy’s Cadets.” My photos.
Editor’s notes: This Beech 18, construction number BA-014, was built as an E18S variant, which featured a redesigned wing and had a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 9,300 lb. (4,200 kg) never flew in the US military, but instead flew for a variety of civilian owners in both the United States and Canada. In 1963, it was noted as being owned by Bobby Manziel of Tyler, Texas, as N3681B. On February 9, 1975, the aircraft was acquired by Canadian airline Millardair Ltd., which operated the aircraft as C-GWSV for nearly 20 years. On April 28, 1993, the aircraft was stricken from the Canadian civil registry, and by January 1994, the aircraft obtained a new registration with the FAA: N118SA, which remains BA-014’s current registration. By 1997, the aircraft was owned by Steve Culbertson of Lakeport, California, before being sold to Jay A. Danford of Chico, California, in 2004.
In 2006, the aircraft was acquired by Robin and Marici Reid, with the aircraft being registered to Marici. Robin Reid is also a pilot for the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM) in Hood River, Oregon, and fly their Beech 18 at numerous local airshows. The USA serial number 53-7471 seen on N118SA’s tail was originally meant for a Republic F-84F Thunderstreak jet fighter that was part of an order that was ultimately cancelled before production started. The Reids have also flown their Beech 18, named “Kilroy’s Cadets,” to the EAA AirVenture airshow held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
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 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.
