Beechcraft Musketeer
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The Beechcraft Musketeer is a family of single-engine, low-wing, light aircraft that was produced by Beechcraft
. The line includes the Model 19 Musketeer Sport, the Model 23 Musketeer, Custom and Sundowner, the Model 23-24 Musketeer Super III the retractable gear Model 24-R Sierra and the military CT-134 Musketeer
.
The Musketeer line was in production from model years 1963
to 1983
, during which time a total of 4,366 were produced. The type certificate
for the Musketeer family of aircraft has been owned by Hawker Beechcraft
since 26 March 2007.
-D2B engine of 160 bhp. The next year this engine was replaced by the Continental IO-346-A engine of 165 bhp. This engine was not a success and was in turn replaced by the Lycoming O-360-A4J engine of 180 bhp starting with the B23 Musketeer Custom of 1968. In 1970
the C23 version was introduced also under the name "Musketeer Custom". In 1972
the C23 was renamed the "Sundowner". When properly equipped, the B23 and C23 are approved for limited aerobatics
.
A total of 2,331 Beechcraft 23s of all variants were manufactured by the time production was completed 20 years later in 1983.
The Beech 19 was introduced as a 1966 model year. Despite having a lower model number, it was a later variant and was a lower-powered trainer version of the Model 23. It lacked the 23’s third side window and had a Lycoming O-320-E2C powerplant of 150 bhp. The Sport was introduced in 1966 with a standard price of $11,500. When properly equipped, the A19, B19, and M19 Sports are approved for limited aerobatics.
The Model 19 was named the "Musketeer Sport" and a total of 922 were built over the 15 years of production which ended with the 1979 model year.
powerplant which produced 200 bhp, 35 hp more than the standard Model 23 Musketeer of that year. This model initially sold for a price of $16,350 in 1966.
In 1966 a single demonstration Model 23-24 was equipped with a constant speed propeller. In succeeding years approximately one third of production aircraft were delivered with the constant speed propeller.
The Super Musketeer typically has a useful load of 1050 to 1080 pounds – giving it one of the highest payloads of four-cylinder, fixed gear, simple single engined aircraft available. Most Model 23-24s were produced in a four-seat configuration. A very small number were produced with a 4+2 configuration with the baggage area convertible to seat two children. This configuration option was more common on the Sierra models that followed the Model 23-24.
One of the few weaknesses of the Model 23-24 is that it had a simple heat distribution system that provided warm air via the firewall to the area under the instrument panel only. This meant heat to the rear seat passengers was less than optimal. Later aircraft featured increasingly better ducting designs that provided heat to all four seating positions.
The fixed-gear Model 23-24 was produced only between 1966
and 1969
. A total of 369 Musketeer Super IIIs were completed before it was superseded by the Model 24 Sierra. These were serial numbered MA-1 to MA-369 and were the only models to have a "MA" serial number, making them easier to distinguish than other members of the Musketeer line. In the last few airframes of the series a new instrument panel with the same "vertical tape" gauges that were used in the early Sierras was introduced. These models were known as the A24 and are not to be confused with the first Sierras, which were designated A24R models. Other than the instrument panel these aircraft were mechanically identical to the earlier A23-24 model.
The Model 23-24 Musketeer Super III proved the utility of the 200 hp engine in the Musketeer airframe, but the fixed gear configuration prevented using full advantage of the extra power of the injected Lycoming. The obvious solution was retracting the landing gear and this resulted in the Model 24.
Christened the "Sierra", the first model year for the new retractable version was 1970
. The initial A24-R Sierra was powered by a Lycoming IO-360-A1B of 200 bhp and sold for a standard price of $24,950. The Model 24 completed the Beech line between the fixed gear Musketeers and the much larger, faster, more complex and expensive Beechcraft Bonanza
.
1973
saw the introduction of the improved B24-R Sierra powered by the Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 engine variant. The improved C24-R was powered by the same engine and replaced the "B" model in 1977
.
Sierra production ended at the same time as the Model 23 Musketeer assembly line was closed, during the aviation economic downturn of 1983
. A total of 744 Sierras were delivered.
The Musketeer design was further developed into a twin-engine aircraft, the Beechcraft Model 76 Duchess
.
purchased twenty-four 1971 model B23 Musketeers, with the first CT-134 arriving at CFB Portage la Prairie on March 23, 1971. The initial batch of CT-134s was replaced in late 1981 with twenty-four 1982 model Beechcraft C23 Sundowners, which were designated by the CF as CT-134A Musketeer II.
s use sprung steel main gear, the Piper PA-28 Cherokees use oleos and the Grumman American AA-5
s use fibreglass sprung main gear, the Musketeer family use a trailing idler link gear system with a compressed rubber puck suspension system. This gives the aircraft quite different landing characteristics compared to the competition; light touchdowns are often accompanied by the idler links skipping and producing a less-graceful than anticipated landing. With practice smooth landings are easy to accomplish.
As a result of this type of landing gear design, Beechcraft did not design or offer wheel fairings for the fixed gear models. Several after-market manufacturers have designed and tested wheel fairings for Musketeers.
A23 Musketeer II
A23A
A23-19 (Model 19)
A23-24
A24
19A
M19A
B19
B23
C23
A24R Sierra 200
B24R Sierra 200
C24R Sierra 200
Algeria
Canada
Mexico
Morocco
Beechcraft
Beechcraft is an American manufacturer of general aviation and military aircraft, ranging from light single engine aircraft to business jets and light military transports. Previously a division of Raytheon, it has been a brand of Hawker Beechcraft since 2006....
. The line includes the Model 19 Musketeer Sport, the Model 23 Musketeer, Custom and Sundowner, the Model 23-24 Musketeer Super III the retractable gear Model 24-R Sierra and the military CT-134 Musketeer
CT-134 Musketeer
|-See also:-External links:*...
.
The Musketeer line was in production from model years 1963
1963 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1963:- Events :* Violating a 1959 requirement that all aircraft operating from the aircraft carrier Minas Gerais - which never has operated aircraft - belong to the Brazilian Air Force, the Brazilian Navy establishes an air group of its own for the...
to 1983
1983 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1983:-January:* January 1 – Eastern Air Lines' first revenue Boeing 757 flight.* January 5 – United Airlines begins the first scheduled nonstop service between the continental United States and Maui....
, during which time a total of 4,366 were produced. The type certificate
Type certificate
A Type Certificate, is awarded by aviation regulating bodies to aerospace manufacturers after it has been established that the particular design of a civil aircraft, engine, or propeller has fulfilled the regulating bodies' current prevailing airworthiness requirements for the safe conduct of...
for the Musketeer family of aircraft has been owned by Hawker Beechcraft
Hawker Beechcraft
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation is an aerospace manufacturing company that builds the Beechcraft and Hawker business jet lines of aircraft....
since 26 March 2007.
Model 23 Musketeer and Custom
The first of the line was the Model 23. It was introduced under the "Musketeer" name as a 1963 model at an initial price of $13,300 and was powered by a Lycoming O-320Lycoming O-320
The Lycoming O-320 is a large family of 92 different normally aspirated, air-cooled, four-cylinder, direct-drive engines commonly used on light aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee. Different variants are rated for 150 or 160 horsepower...
-D2B engine of 160 bhp. The next year this engine was replaced by the Continental IO-346-A engine of 165 bhp. This engine was not a success and was in turn replaced by the Lycoming O-360-A4J engine of 180 bhp starting with the B23 Musketeer Custom of 1968. In 1970
1970 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1970:-January:* January 1 – Nord-Aviation, Sud-Aviation, and SEREB merge to form SNIAS .* January 31 – Mikhail Mil dies, aged 61-February:...
the C23 version was introduced also under the name "Musketeer Custom". In 1972
1972 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1972:- Events :* Early in the year, the United States introduces the Walleye II optically guided glide bomb into service, employing it in the Vietnam War. It becomes known as the "Fat Albert."-January:...
the C23 was renamed the "Sundowner". When properly equipped, the B23 and C23 are approved for limited aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
.
A total of 2,331 Beechcraft 23s of all variants were manufactured by the time production was completed 20 years later in 1983.
Model 19 Musketeer Sport
The Model 19 was named the "Musketeer Sport" and a total of 922 were built over the 15 years of production which ended with the 1979 model year.
Model 23-24 Musketeer Super III
Along with the introduction of the lower-powered Model 19 in 1966, Beechcraft also introduced a higher-powered version of the Model 23 Musketeer and named it the Beechcraft 23-24 Musketeer Super III. This upgraded model had a Lycoming IO-360 fuel injectedFuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
powerplant which produced 200 bhp, 35 hp more than the standard Model 23 Musketeer of that year. This model initially sold for a price of $16,350 in 1966.
In 1966 a single demonstration Model 23-24 was equipped with a constant speed propeller. In succeeding years approximately one third of production aircraft were delivered with the constant speed propeller.
The Super Musketeer typically has a useful load of 1050 to 1080 pounds – giving it one of the highest payloads of four-cylinder, fixed gear, simple single engined aircraft available. Most Model 23-24s were produced in a four-seat configuration. A very small number were produced with a 4+2 configuration with the baggage area convertible to seat two children. This configuration option was more common on the Sierra models that followed the Model 23-24.
One of the few weaknesses of the Model 23-24 is that it had a simple heat distribution system that provided warm air via the firewall to the area under the instrument panel only. This meant heat to the rear seat passengers was less than optimal. Later aircraft featured increasingly better ducting designs that provided heat to all four seating positions.
The fixed-gear Model 23-24 was produced only between 1966
1966 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1966:-January:* The United States Armys helicopter assault-oriented 1st Cavalry Division begins Operation Matador to destroy North Vietnamese Army forces in Pleiku and Kon Tum Province, South Vietnam....
and 1969
1969 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1969:- Events :* The Canadian Snowbirds aerobatic team is formed.* A fifth annual Harmon Trophy is created to honor the worlds outstanding astronaut of the year and is awarded for the first time, honoring the outstanding astronauts of 1968.-January:*...
. A total of 369 Musketeer Super IIIs were completed before it was superseded by the Model 24 Sierra. These were serial numbered MA-1 to MA-369 and were the only models to have a "MA" serial number, making them easier to distinguish than other members of the Musketeer line. In the last few airframes of the series a new instrument panel with the same "vertical tape" gauges that were used in the early Sierras was introduced. These models were known as the A24 and are not to be confused with the first Sierras, which were designated A24R models. Other than the instrument panel these aircraft were mechanically identical to the earlier A23-24 model.
Model 24 Sierra
Christened the "Sierra", the first model year for the new retractable version was 1970
1970 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1970:-January:* January 1 – Nord-Aviation, Sud-Aviation, and SEREB merge to form SNIAS .* January 31 – Mikhail Mil dies, aged 61-February:...
. The initial A24-R Sierra was powered by a Lycoming IO-360-A1B of 200 bhp and sold for a standard price of $24,950. The Model 24 completed the Beech line between the fixed gear Musketeers and the much larger, faster, more complex and expensive Beechcraft Bonanza
Beechcraft Bonanza
The Beechcraft Bonanza is an American general aviation aircraft introduced in 1947 by The Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. , it is still being produced by Hawker Beechcraft, and has been in continuous production longer than any other airplane in history...
.
1973
1973 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1973:- Events :*Don Taylor attempts round-the-world trip in his homebuilt Thorp T-18, ended by a spate of really bad weather between northern Japan and the Aleutian Islands. His next attempt in the summer of 1976 is successful.-January:* U.S...
saw the introduction of the improved B24-R Sierra powered by the Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 engine variant. The improved C24-R was powered by the same engine and replaced the "B" model in 1977
1977 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1977:-January:* January 15 – Linjeflyg Flight 618, a Vickers Viscount 838. crashes in Kälvesta, Sweden just outside Stockholm killing all 22 on board....
.
Sierra production ended at the same time as the Model 23 Musketeer assembly line was closed, during the aviation economic downturn of 1983
1983 in aviation
This is a list of aviation-related events from 1983:-January:* January 1 – Eastern Air Lines' first revenue Boeing 757 flight.* January 5 – United Airlines begins the first scheduled nonstop service between the continental United States and Maui....
. A total of 744 Sierras were delivered.
The Musketeer design was further developed into a twin-engine aircraft, the Beechcraft Model 76 Duchess
Beechcraft Duchess
|-See also:-External links:*...
.
CT-134 Musketeer
The Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
purchased twenty-four 1971 model B23 Musketeers, with the first CT-134 arriving at CFB Portage la Prairie on March 23, 1971. The initial batch of CT-134s was replaced in late 1981 with twenty-four 1982 model Beechcraft C23 Sundowners, which were designated by the CF as CT-134A Musketeer II.
Landing gear
The main difference between the Musketeer line and other similar light aircraft is the Musketeer’s undercarriage. While the competitive Cessna 172Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
s use sprung steel main gear, the Piper PA-28 Cherokees use oleos and the Grumman American AA-5
Grumman American AA-5
The US Grumman American AA-5 series is a family of all-metal, 4-seat, light aircraft used for touring and training. The line includes the original American Aviation AA-5 Traveler, the Grumman American AA-5 Traveler, AA-5A Cheetah, and AA-5B Tiger, the Gulfstream American AA-5A Cheetah, and AA-5B...
s use fibreglass sprung main gear, the Musketeer family use a trailing idler link gear system with a compressed rubber puck suspension system. This gives the aircraft quite different landing characteristics compared to the competition; light touchdowns are often accompanied by the idler links skipping and producing a less-graceful than anticipated landing. With practice smooth landings are easy to accomplish.
As a result of this type of landing gear design, Beechcraft did not design or offer wheel fairings for the fixed gear models. Several after-market manufacturers have designed and tested wheel fairings for Musketeers.
Operational history
During their production years the Musketeer family of aircraft were popular trainers and were used by many flying schools. Most Musketeers are now privately owned.Variants
23 Musketeer- Four-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 160 hp Lycoming O-320-D2BLycoming O-320The Lycoming O-320 is a large family of 92 different normally aspirated, air-cooled, four-cylinder, direct-drive engines commonly used on light aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee. Different variants are rated for 150 or 160 horsepower...
piston engine, gross weight of 2300 lb (1,043 kg), first certified 20 February 1962.
A23 Musketeer II
- Four-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 165 hp Continental IO-346-A piston engine, gross weight of 2350 lb (1,066 kg), first certified 7 June 1963.
A23A
- Four-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 165 hp Continental IO-346-A piston engine, gross weight of 2400 lb (1,089 kg), first certified 5 November 1965.
A23-19 (Model 19)
- Two or four-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320-E2BLycoming O-320The Lycoming O-320 is a large family of 92 different normally aspirated, air-cooled, four-cylinder, direct-drive engines commonly used on light aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee. Different variants are rated for 150 or 160 horsepower...
, E2C or E3D piston engine, gross weight of 2200 lb (998 kg), first certified 9 December 1965.
A23-24
- Four or six-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-A2B or A2D, or when equipped with a constant speed propeller a Lycoming IO-360-A1B or A1D piston engine, gross weight of 2550 lb (1,157 kg), first certified 7 March 1966.
A24
- Four or six-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-A2B or A2D, or when equipped with a constant speed propeller a Lycoming IO-360-A1B or A1D piston engine, gross weight of 2550 lb (1,157 kg), first certified 5 February 1970.
19A
- Two or four-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320-E2BLycoming O-320The Lycoming O-320 is a large family of 92 different normally aspirated, air-cooled, four-cylinder, direct-drive engines commonly used on light aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee. Different variants are rated for 150 or 160 horsepower...
, E2C or E3D piston engine, gross weight of 2250 lb (1,021 kg), first certified 31 August 1967, approved in the aerobatic category 12 March 1968.
M19A
- Two-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320-E2BLycoming O-320The Lycoming O-320 is a large family of 92 different normally aspirated, air-cooled, four-cylinder, direct-drive engines commonly used on light aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee. Different variants are rated for 150 or 160 horsepower...
, E2C or E3D piston engine, gross weight of 2250 lb (1,021 kg), first certified 9 December 1969, including in the aerobatic category.
B19
- Two or four-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 150 hp Lycoming O-320-E2BLycoming O-320The Lycoming O-320 is a large family of 92 different normally aspirated, air-cooled, four-cylinder, direct-drive engines commonly used on light aircraft such as the Cessna 172 and Piper Cherokee. Different variants are rated for 150 or 160 horsepower...
, E2C or E3D piston engine, gross weight of 2250 lb (1,021 kg), first certified 13 February 1970, including in the aerobatic category.
B23
- Four-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 180 hp Lycoming O-360-A2G piston engine, gross weight of 2450 lb (1,111 kg), first certified 13 December 1967 and in the aerobatic category 22 November 1968.
C23
- Four-seat light cabin aircraft, fixed tricycle landing gear, powered by a 180 hp Lycoming O-360-A4G, A2G, A4J or A4K piston engine, gross weight of 2450 lb (1,111 kg), first certified 13 February 1970 including in the aerobatic category.
A24R Sierra 200
- Four or six-seat light cabin aircraft, retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-A1B or A1D piston engine, gross weight of 2750 lb (1,247 kg), first certified 23 December 1969.
B24R Sierra 200
- Four or six-seat light cabin aircraft, retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 piston engine, gross weight of 2750 lb (1,247 kg), first certified 18 June 1973.
C24R Sierra 200
- Four or six-seat light cabin aircraft, retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by a 200 hp Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 piston engine, gross weight of 2750 lb (1,247 kg), first certified 1 October 1976.
Military operators
Algeria
- Algerian Air ForceAlgerian Air ForceThe Algerian Air Force is the aerial arm of the Algerian People's Military.- Inventory :- External links : http://www.algaf.bravehost.com/index.htm http://www.avions-militaires.net/dossiers/armee-air/dza.php...
(4 x B24R Sierra)
Canada
- Canadian Armed Forces (24 x B23 and 24 x C23 Sundowners, designated as CT-134)
- Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air ForceRoyal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air ForceThe Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force was an auxiliary unit of the United Kingdom Royal Air Force, based in Hong Kong. In preparation for the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, the unit was disbanded on 1 April 1993.Although technically an armed...
(2 x B23-19)
Mexico
- Mexican Air ForceMexican Air ForceThe Mexican Air Force is the aviation branch of the Mexican Army and depends on the National Defense Secretariat . Since 2008, its commander is Gen...
(20 x A23-19)
Morocco
- Royal Moroccan Air ForceRoyal Moroccan Air ForceThe Royal Moroccan Air Force is the air force branch of the Moroccan Armed Forces.-History:...
(1 x 23)
A23A Musketeer Custom III
See also
External links
- Airliners.net Musketeer page