The basic Beechcraft Model 18 is a 6- to 11 seat, twin-engine, low-wing, tailwheel light aircraft manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. Continuously produced from 1937 to 1969, over 9,000 were built, making it one of the world’s most widely used light aircraft.

Sold worldwide as a civilian executive, utility, or cargo aircraft (and also sold as a passenger airliner with tailwheels, nose wheels, skis, or floats,) it was also used as a military aircraft. The military versions were the C-45, and 5,200 were built as cargo (C-45/JRB), photo reconnaissance (F-2/JRB), trainers (AT-7/SNB) and bomb-gunnery trainers (AT-11/SNB).

The Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine powered a wide variety and large number of military and commercial aircraft, making it one of the most successful reciprocating engines ever built in its power class. This plane is a Beech Super E18S Executive Super Twin. 464 were built from 1953 until 1962. The plane has room for nine passengers in comfort. For extra comfort, this model also has the tall cockpit, providing additional headroom for the crew. This aircraft won the 2003 Airventure Oshkosh Grand Champion award. The post-WWII Super 18 has better performance than the WWII C-45 military variants.