What is the story on aerobatic models of the Sundowner and Sport? Can a non-acro model be converted? What about the rumors of a 180 HP engine conversion for the Sport models? Did Beech ever do this? What would I have to do in order to obtain copies of blueprints or kits from Beech, for these changes?
Here is some information I tracked down on the aerobatic models and the 180 HP Sport conversions. Unfortunately, other than confirming some numbers, it didn’t get me far. The blue text is the response from my Beech Technical Support contact. I am posting this for posterity, in case circumstances change somewhere down the road, or in case someone turns up one or more of these kits or drawings. I have edited out names, etc. to protect privacy.
Inquiry:
Kit number 23-9014 is mentioned in the A1CE Type Certificate, as being applicable to the later B19 Sports. The kit number shows “no results” in a RAPID search. Any chance I can get a copy of the kit drawings and parts list, so I can learn more about what it was for and what was in it? That could be a huge help when dealing with otherwise-unavailable salvage parts. Ditto for:
Drawing COC46786
Drawing 169-002000
Drawing 169-002001
Beech Kit 23-9021-1S
Beech Kit 23-9016-1S
Beech Kit 23-4007-1S
Beech Kit 23-4007-5S
Mod C.O. #E32136
None of these numbers show up in RAPID any more.
The A1CE TC seems to imply that nearly all of the models 19 and 23 can become (limited) aerobatic, with the correct parts equipment installed. I am just having trouble nailing down what the kit contents are.
I have also read in some Beech history that Beech developed a kit to install the 180 HP O-360 in some Sports, for a University training program. I’d like to identify that kit as well, including drawings and contents.
Beech Response:
Good afternoon Mr. Rellihan, thank you for your e-mail and we hope all is well with you. We regret to inform you that the blueprint and kit print numbers listed in your e-mail are proprietary information and are not available.
Blueprint numbers are as follows:
A.) 169-002000…………………this is a drawing which list the numbers of other drawings (parts list) for acrobatic conversion on the Beech production line for the B19.
B.) 169-002001…………………same story here, list of drawings (parts list) for acrobatic conversion of the C23 on the Beech production line.
C.) COC46786………………….this is an engineering Change Order for a blue print and is attached or incorporated into the blue print.
D.) Mod. co # E32136………..same story here, this mod CO and is usually attached to a blue print.
Beech Kits:
A.) Kit 23-9014-1, is a gross weight increase for the B19 serial numbers MB-481 through MB-616. This kit is mentioned in SI 0616-010.
B.) Kit 23-9021-1, lists the parts and information to install a 180 HP engine in MB-461 through MB-480.
C.) Kit 23-9016-1, lists the parts and information to install a 180 HP 0-360-A4J engine in MB-635 through MB-654 except MB-649.
D.) Kit 23-4007-1, lists the parts and information to install aerodynamic fairings on MB-481 through MB-654 & C23 M-1285 through M-1493, which were approved by Beech for intentional spins.
E.) Kit 23-4007-5, is the same as the kit above but for the C23s which were approved by Beech for intentional spins.
Here again we are sorry to inform you that, all the above mentioned kits are no longer available.
Aerobatic conversions:
Some of the Aero Center aircraft owners were of the opinion that installation of the aerodynamic fairing kits would make their aircraft acrobatic, this is not so. The aerodynamic fairing kits were developed for the aircraft that were manufactured and designated acrobatic by Beech, so that these aircraft could keep the acrobatic designation/category. (Ed. Note: Evidently these planes didn’t meet spin recovery standards as-built [positive recovery within three turns, or similar], so Beech had to add the airflow-control devices in order to retain the capability/designation.)
Follow-up Inquiry/Comment:
I used to be able to buy copies of the prints from Beech, for out-of-production kits. I gather from your note that there is no longer any provision for customers to buy copies of kit prints? For example, to replace lost paperwork for existing installations? If that’s true, that’s pretty disappointing. I bought a copy of the print for the Sierra’s auxiliary nose gear downlock switch, just last year.
Follow-up Response:
Good afternoon Mike, yes you are correct, in some cases our customers can purchase kit drawings with out buying the complete kit, but in most cases these are current kits that we still offer for sale. The difficulty comes when our customer wants to purchase obsolete kit drawings such as the kit drawings you mentioned in your e-mail, because these drawings have not been updated by our engineering for years. Items called out on the drawings may no longer be able to be procured. Also, our legal department says this is a big no no.