The Beech D18S Model was the first post-war aircraft to be approved by the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Administration. Despite competition from hundreds of surplus military transports and trainers at a fraction of the $60,000.00 cost of a D18S, the new models began rolling off the Beech production line in December 1945 and became the foundation on which American business flying was built.

Numerous important improvements boosted performance over prewar and wartime production 18’s and by 1957 when production finally ended, 1003 D18S’s had been built. Except for the 280 sold to the Royal Canadian Air Force, almost all of the new D18S’s went to corporate owners, however, by the late 1950’s and 1960’s many were being utilized as passenger and freight carriers.

This aircraft was delivered to Beech dealer, Alamo Aviation Inc., San Antonio, TX as N2049D. The basic price including Hydromatic propellers was $78,050.00 although options were extra. It was re-registered as N4477 by 1961 and John L. Parish of Tullahoma, TN bought it in 1974. He is a Life Member of the Twin Beech 18 Society and has loaned his airworthy, 7 seat, D18S to the Museum.