The Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita, a World War II-era trainer, was developed by Beechcraft Corporation for the US Army Air Forces.
Designed as a twin-engine, low-wing monoplane, it featured retractable landing gear.
The AT-10 served as a fundamental trainer for bomber crews, focusing on navigation, gunnery, and bombing skills.
Its cockpit accommodated an instructor and student side by side.
With two Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Junior radial engines, the AT-10 boasted a top speed of 225 mph and a range of 1,000 miles.
Its wingspan measured 53 feet, and its length, 34 feet.
Between 1942 and 1944, a total of 1,582 units were produced.
Post-war, surplus AT-10s were repurposed for civilian use.
Presently, a few AT-10s survive, primarily in private collections or exhibited in aviation museums.
Specifications
Crew
2
Length
34 ft 3 in (10.4 m)
Wingspan
53 ft 0 in (16.2 m)
Height
10 ft 1 in (3.1 m)
Wing area
354 sq ft (32.9 m2)
Empty weight
4,500 lb (2,041 kg)
Gross weight
7,000 lb (3,175 kg)
Powerplant
2 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Junior,
9-cylinder radial engines,
450 hp (336 kW) each
Maximum speed
225 mph (362 km/h, 196 kn)
Cruise speed
195 mph (314 km/h, 170 kn)
Range
1,000 mi (1,600 km, 870 nmi)
Service ceiling
23,200 ft (7,100 m)
Rate of climb
1,400 ft/min (7.1 m/s)
Armament
Accommodations for .30-cal machine guns in both dorsal and ventral turrets are provided, along with a capacity for up to 2,000 lb (900 kg) of bombs or four depth charges.
It should be noted that these specifications can vary based on the particular model and any modifications applied to the aircraft.
Sources Beech Aircraft and their Predecessors-Alain Pelletier. National Museum of the United States Air Force. Beechcraft Aircraft.
