G-17 Staggerwing Wooden Model Airplane

Item#: KBC17T

MSRP Price: $183.55

Factory Direct Price: $137.66

Wing Span: 13.00
Length: 10.00

Manufacturer: Beech Aircraft Corporation

This Ready to Ship G-17 Staggerwing Scale Model Aircraft was handcrafted with absolute precision using the finest Philippine Mahogany and was sealed to last for generations. Working from our library of blueprints, reference materials and their exact photographs, Factory Direct Models master artisans recreated this G-17 Staggerwing into an amazingly detailed display model airplane that you can display at your home, office, museum, tradeshow or any place you desire.

This G-17 Staggerwing Mahogany Model Airplane is a perfect gift for Aviation Enthusiasts, Pilot, Aviator or people who took part in developing this airplane.

Please note that the stand shown in this photograph may vary or change with the model you receive.

Your model will be made exactly as shown in the photographs. If you would like to change this model in any other way, please visit Our Custom Model Gallery section of our website to commission a personalized model to be built.

G-17 Staggerwing History:

The Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing is an American biplane with an atypical negative stagger (the lower wing is farther forward than the upper wing).

At the height of the Great Depression, aircraft executive Walter H. Beech and airplane designer T. A. "Ted" Wells joined forces to collaborate on a project many considered foolhardy — a large, powerful, and fast biplane built specifically for the business executive. The Beechcraft Model 17, popularly known as the "Staggerwing" was first flown on November 4, 1932, setting the standard for private passenger airplanes for many years to come. It was considered, during its time, to be the premier executive aircraft flying, much as the Gulfstream executive jets are considered in contemporary times.

Assembly line at the beginning of Staggerwing production (note the fixed landing gear).

The Model 17's unusual wing configuration—the upper wing inversely staggered behind the lower—and unique shape resulted in a design that maximized the pilot's visibility while minimizing the aircraft's tendency to stall. The fabric-covered fuselage was faired with wood formers and stringers placed over a welded, steel tube frame. The construction of the plane was complex and took many manhours to complete. The Staggerwing's retractable conventional landing gear, uncommon at that time, combined with streamlining, light weight, and its use of powerful radial engines helped it perform significantly better than other biplane designs.

In the mid-1930s, Beech embarked upon a major redesign of the aircraft, to be known officially as the Model D17 Staggerwing. The D17 featured a lengthened fuselage that improved the aircraft's landing characteristics by increasing the leverage generated by the elevator. Ailerons were relocated on the upper wings, eliminating any interference with the air flow over the flaps. Braking was improved by the introduction of a foot-operated brake that was synchronized with the rudder pedals. All of these modifications enhanced the Staggerwing's performance, which would soon be put to the test under wartime conditions.