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The model 17 was produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation. It was first flew in 1932. The 17 also know as the "Staggerwing" its a cabin biplane. Its design was started by Ted Wells of the Travel Air Company. It must be noted that the Travel Air company was led by Walter Beech, Clyde Cessna, and Lloyd Stearman. The model 17 got its nick name through its distinct negative wing stagger, this means that the top wing is set back from the bottom wing. They did this to improve the pilots visibility and to improve its stall characteristics. It was constructed from steel tubing and wood. It also had surprisingly good streamlining.
This plane was produced over a 17 year period and made in several different models. The A17 was the original it sported a fixed undercarriage, an electrical retractable undercarriage that was later introduced on the B17. In 1937 a 45cm extension was added to the fuselage , an improved wing section profile, and, as well as, a cantilever tail section. This new model was dubbed the D17. In 1938 they offered a cheaper Jacobs engine and a strut tail. This newer model was the E17. The final model incorporated a P&W R-985 Wasp Junior engine, along with reduced drag cowl and wind profile, improved undercarriage doors, and increased tail surface. This model was based of f of the D17 rather than the E17 and called the G17S. The final count produced was 781. Production ended in 1949. It was replaced by the Beech 35 Bonanza.
