Beechcraft Travel Air

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beechcraft_Travel_Air

The Beechcraft Travel Air was a twin-engine development of the Beechcraft
Bonanza. It was designed to fill the gap between the single engine Model 35
Bonanza and the much larger Model 50 Twin Bonanza, and ultimately served as the
basis for its replacement, the Baron.

Designed as a competitor to the Cessna 310 and the Piper Apache, the Travel Air
(developed as the Badger) took many design features from previous Beechcraft
airplanes. It took its basic design from the Model 35 Bonanza, fitted with the
vertical stabilizer from the T-34 Mentor, and two four-cylinder engines. Its
wing spar was borrowed from the large Model 50 Twin Bonanza, along with thicker
gauge aluminum on the leading edge; landing gear systems had been taken from the
United States Navy Mentor, which was a stronger structure built for training
pilots for later aircraft carrier landings. Power came from, in the 1958 model
year, two Lycoming O-360-A1A at 180 horsepower (130 kW) at 2700rpm each. With
75% power, the Travel Air was capable of 200mph at 7,500ft.

Although developed and initially marketed as the Badger, a 1956 letter from the
United States Air Force notified Beechcraft that the name had been previously
chosen as a reporting name for the Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 bomber; therefore,
Beechcraft elected to reuse the Travel Air name, which came from the predecessor
company to Beechcraft, the Travel Air Manufacturing Company. Beechcraft set in
initial pricing of the Travel Air at $49,500; $10,450 below Cessna's 310 price,
yet still $13,510 higher than Piper's Apache pricing.


Role
Light twin aircraft

National origin
United States of America

Manufacturer
Beechcraft

First flight
August 6, 1956

Introduction
1958

Status
Out of production, in service

Produced
1958–1968

Number built
720

Unit cost

$49,500 in 1959


Developed from
Beechcraft Bonanza

Variants
Beechcraft Baron

Variants

Model 95

The initial model was built for the 1958 and 1959 model years; the 1959 model
had a fifth 'jumpseat' added. A total production of the 95 for 1958 and 1959
were 173 and 128, respectively.

Model B95/B95A

Changes in the B95 version included a 19-inch (480 mm) cabin stretch to increase
rear cabin area and the horizontal stabilizer and elevators were enlarged for
better pitch control. A curved vertical stabilizer dorsal fairing is the most
noticeable change. It also included a fifth seat, wider chord flaps, and an
increased gross weight of 100 pounds. The 1961 Model B95A featured fuel injected
Lycoming IO-360-B1A engines. A total 150 B95's were built in 1960, and 81 B95A's
were built between 1961 and 1962 (serial numbers TD-453 through TD-533). The
1960 model was priced at $51,500 and the 1961-62 model was priced at $49,500.

Model D95A

In 1963 the Travel Air featured a larger rear window that is common with the
Model A55/B55 Barons. The nose cone was lengthened for improved baggage space.
Interior features such as the instrument panel, and heaters were redesigned. A
total of 174 D95's between 1963 and 1967.

Model E95

The E95 featured a one piece, 'speed-slope' windshield and a more pointed
spinner design. The interior design was fully re-done. A total of 14 Model E95's
were built in 1968; with pricing of $53,500. The production drop off was due to
the more costly but faster and powerful Model 55 Baron (developed from the Model
95, and initially designated Model 95-55).

Specifications (D95A)

General characteristics
Crew: one
Capacity: four passengers
Length: 25 ft 11 in (7.90 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft 10 in (11.53 m)
Height: 9 ft 6 in. (2.90 m)
Wing area: 199.2 sq. ft. (18.50 m²)
Empty weight: 2,555 lb (1,159 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 4,200 lb (1,905 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming IO-360-B1B air-cooled flat-four, 180 hp (134 kW) each

Performance
Never exceed speed: 209 knots (240 mph, 386 km/h)
Maximum speed: 183 knots (210 mph, 338 km/h) at sea level
Cruise speed: 170 knots (195 mph, 314 km/h) (economy cruise (65% power,
2,450rpm) at 11,000 ft (3,350 m))
Stall speed: 61 knots (70 mph, 113 km/h) (flaps 28 degrees, gear down, zero
thrust)
Range: 1,017 nmi (1,170 mi, 1,880 km)
Service ceiling: 18,100 ft (5,500 m)
Rate of climb: 1,250 ft/min (6.3 m/s)
Wing loading: 21.1 lb/sq ft (103 kg/m²)





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