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39 Years Of The Beechcraft 1900: The Aircraft’s History
Earlier this week, US manufacturer Beechcraft celebrated 39 years since the maiden voyage of its 1900 family. This twin-turboprop design has served various purposes over the years, with its bread and butter work being as a regional airliner. Let’s take a look back at the history of this versatile plane, of which there have been several different variants. (simpleflying.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
The 1900C was simply a culvert wth wings that only the smallest passengers could get down the aisle without being all hunched down and almost crawling on your knees. But once in the seat even a big guy like me is comfortable and can sleep through the flight. Very common in northern Canada were there is a runway long enough for them. If the runway is short you gotta ride an Otter with it’s slow moving vehicle sign stuck on the back.
Air Canada used them to service the parts of Ontario they didn't really like. Flying in one of those along the edge of Lake Ontario between Kingston and Toronto meant turbulence for the entire 40 minute flight. My kids dubbed it the vomit comet. The Dash 8 was noticeably smoother, but it's a moot point now since we have no service at all.
The 1900D always reminded me of paper airplanes that we made as kids. You tossed it and, if it didn't fly right, you bent the ends of the wings up, added a tail or two, tape here and there, and basically did whatever it took to make it fly right. I think that's what Beech did.
Very functional, but no beauty..
If I recall, there was a C and a D model. And it was the D model in particular that was an eye sore!
American flew a Beechcraft between Yuma and Sky Harbor back in the late 80's/90's until it was replaced by a Dash (8 I think?). The Beech was ok, but the Dash was NOTICEABLY superior.