Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan - Dutch Beech AT-11s

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]