Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan

History

The Beech AT-11 Kansan was a special version of the Beechcraft Model 18, meant to be used for the training of bombardiers and air gunners.

For more information about the Beech model 18, click here.

In service with RNlNAS an NEIAF (RNlMFS).

The Dutch Navy intended to buy the Douglas Boston and thus was in the need of a multi engine trainer. As the Lockheed 12/212 was already in use at the Dutch East Indies, a request was made for seven Lockheeds 212 and in February 1941 a second on for the delivery of seventeen extra Lockheeds.
The engines were available. The Wright engines, ordered for the Fokker T. VIIIw, were delivered in England.
As the Lockheed 212 production was discontinued, the order was shortly afterwards converted into Lockheed 12.

Both requests were rejected because Lockheed had its hands full with orders, so it was recommended to order 24 Beech AT-11 Kansans. This was considered as a formal approval and Beech was given the order for the supply of the Beech AT-11.
Only in May 1941 the formal approval for the Beech AT-11 order was given, which was promptly rejected as for now Beech too full with orders. After it was reported that the contract was already given to Beech, the request was yet granted.
These aircraft were finally used at the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School at Jackson.

In fact the Kansan was better suited for the purpose of the RNlNAS, training of bombardiers and observers than the Lockheed 12, as the AT-11 had a glass nose, an internal weapons bay for ten bombs of 100 lbs.

The version of the USAAF was equipped with a Honeywell C-1 or a Sperry C-5 autopilot, which was linked to a Norden or Sperry bomb sight.

The RNlNAS (MLD) used a different bomb sight so the Dutch AT-11s differed at that point from the USAAF machines. The delivery was to late and therefore the aircraft were seized by the US and had a fictional USAAF serial number applied. (42-30xx number in the table below)

In May 1942 the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School (RNMFS) in Jackson was a fact, so the AT-11s were released again. Initially the orange triangle and RNlNAs serials were still applied as Dutch national insignia. The USAAF fictitious number was applied to the nose and the last two digids were later also applied on the cowling and/or fuselage.

Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan of the RNMFS.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Three machines were equipped with a turret with a machine gun and a movable MG in the bottom, for the training of air gunners. These machines were stationed at Tundall Field, Florida.

Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan mutli engine trainers of the Royal Netherlands Military Airforce at Jackson (Mississippi) in 1943
The aircraft with number on the engine cowling is equipped with a dorsal turret.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

OLV3 M.S. Kamminga in front of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan at Jackson Air Force Base, May 1943.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

The machines ordered by the RNlNAS were serialled A-1 to A-24. The aircraft were never delivered.
Below are the RNlNAS serials also given, but the relationship with the RNMFS serials are not certain. The second USAAF number is the number that the AT-11s received after RNMFS was dismissed and the aircraft were transferred again to the USAAF.
Between June 1943 and late 1943, six aircraft were borrowed from the USAAF in order to elapse the training program

Serial Serial	Fictitious US Serial. Fictitious US Serial	US fisc. year nr. US fisc. year nr.	Construction nr. Construction nr.	Date in Service Date in Service	Date out of service Date out of service	Notes Notes
A-1	42-3057	44-72006	3057	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-2	42-3058	44-72006	3058	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-3	42-3059	44-72007	3059	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-4	42-3060	44-72008	3060	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-5	42-3061	44-72009	3061	05-1942	19-02-1944
A-6	42-3062	44-72010	3062	05-1942	19-02-1944
A-7	42-3063	44-72011	3063	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-8	42-3064	44-72012	3064	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-9	42-3065	44-72013	3065	05-1942	19-02-1944
A-10	42-3066	44-72004	3066	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-11	42-3067		3067			Information unknown
A-12	42-3068		3068			Information unknown
A-13	42-3069	44-72015	3069	05-1942	20-02-1944	This aircraft still exists in flying condition! See beechbomber.com
A-14	42-3070	44-72016	3070	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-15	42-3071	44-72017	3071	05-1942	19-02-1944
A-16	42-3072	44-72018	3072	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-17	42-3073	44-72019	3073	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-18	42-3074	44-72020	3074	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-19	42-3075	44-72021	3075	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-20	42-3076	44-72022	3076	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-21	42-3077	44-72023	3077	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-22	42-3078	44-72024	3078	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-23	42-3079	44-72025	3079	05-1942	20-02-1944
A-24	42-3080	44-72026	3080	05-1942	20-02-1944
Borrowed USAAF AT-11 Kansans
		US Fisc. Year nr.		Date in Service	Date out of service	Notes
-	-	41-9438	-	06-1943	27-07-1943	Written of after landing accident.
-	-	41-9489	-	06-1943	31-08-1943	To Goodfellow Field, San Angelo, Texas
-	-	41-9491	-	06-1943	23-10-1943	To Goodfellow Field, San Angelo, Texas
-	-	41-9438	-	06-1943	15-12-1943	To Goodfellow Field, San Angelo, Texas
-	-	41-27468	-	06-1943	-	To Robbinsfield
-	-	41-27489	-	06-1943	13-09-1943	To Turnerfield

 

1/72nd Scale

Kits

• Matchbox
  • Kit 40201: Re-release of the Pioneer kit.
• Pioneer 2
  • Kit 4003 / 4009:Beech AT-11; It is rather simple and lacks e.g. the turret.
• PM Models
  • Kit PM-303: Re-release of the Pioneer kit.

Modelling add-on

• --
  • Set --: --

Decals

• Dutch Decal
  • Set 72013: Set for several types of Dutch aircraft: B-25J Mitchell M-451: flag; Beech AT-11 Kansan: 71 flag.
    Hawker Seafury F.Mk.50: 10-3 & 10-2: early scheme and 10-46: The Aerobats; 6-43:Note: stencilling for one aricraft;
    F-16A: J-619; 40 jaar 31 squadron 1991. J-060; Display 1990; F-16B:J-259; "10 Years F-16 in the Netherlands" 1989.
  • Set 72043: Set for several types of Dutch aircraft: Lockheed L-212 L201; Douglas DB-7 (A-20) AL907 van MLD;
    Beech AT-11 Kansan A-14; Martin 139 WH-1 M502 in yellow & blue scheme; Martin 139 WH-1 M514 two tone camouflage;
    Ryan STM-2: S-26 aluminium dope and camouflage; MiG Killer F-16 J-063 just the marking.
  • Set 72067: Set for several types of NEI aircraft: Fokker C.X; Lockheed Loestar; C-47 Dakota; Piper L4J; North American B-25 C, B-25J en B-25G Mitchell Mitsubishi Ki-57 Topsy and Beech At-11 Kansan.

1/48th Scale

Kits

Thusfar no Beech AT-11 kits are released. ICm has released some Beech 18 versions in this scale. These kits could be coverted with de conversion set mentioned below

• --
  • Kit --:--

Modelling add-on

• Lone Star Models
  • Set LSM40287: AT-11/C-45 Conversion Set (BXE kit)

Decals

• --
  • Set --: --

 

Scheme		Colour name	FS number	Humbrol	XtraColor	Vallejo Model Color	Vallejo Model Air	Hataka
Standard #1	Uppersides	Olive Drab 41		66	X112	70.887	71.016	~004
	Undersides	Aluminium Dope		56	-	70.864	71.062

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

Overview of colour schemes of the Dutch Beech AT-11 Kansans

Delivery scheme of the Beech AT-11 Kansan. Initially, the AT-11s of the RNlMFS still used the serials of the RNlNAS.

Second colour scheme of the Beech AT-11 Kansan.

Third colour scheme of the Beech AT-11 Kansan.

A variant of the third colour scheme of the Beech AT-11 Kansan.

A variant of the third colour scheme of the Beech AT-11 Kansan.

 

 

 

Literature.

Zestig jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld.	Hugo Hooftman	pag. 80	1977	Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
The Royal Netherlands Military Flying School 1942-1944, Bijdrage tot de Geschiedenis van het Zeewezen deel 16	O.G. Ward en P.C. Boer	Pag. 63 - 69; pag. 69 - 74; pag. 243 - 246	1982	Afdeling Maritieme Historie, 's Gravenhage
Luchtvaartwereld; 1e jaargang nummer 7/8: Jackson Beechcraft vliegt weer.	Gerard Casius	Pag. 244	1984	Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel
Luchtvaartwereld; 3e jaargang nummer 4: De vliegtuigen van Jackson (2)	Gerard Casius		1986	Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel
Luchtvaartwereld; 3e jaargang nummer 3: De vliegtuigen van Jackson	Gerard Casius	Pag. 82 - 92	1986	Uitgeverij Ten Brink, Meppel
Camouflage en Kentekens	J.Greuter e.a.		1997	Bonneville – Bergen (NH)
85 JAAR Marineluchtvaartdienst in beeld: Van Farman tot NH 90 Helikopter	Peter Korbee	pag. 76 - 77	2002	Korbee MLD Promotie, Valkenburg

 

Websites.

• Beechcraft Model 18; History.; Performance and Specifications
• TwinBeech.com: AT-11
• Wikipedia UK: Beechcraft model 18
• National Museum: Beechcraft Model 18
• Beechbomber.com Only remaining former RNlMFS Beech AT-11.

 

Special thanks to mr M.T.A. Schep for the extra information about the Dutch At-11s, such as photos and for the corrections of my (initial) drawings.