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German Aviation Club Restores Historic Beechcraft D18S

The Beechcraft 18, also known as the “Beech 18,” is an American twin-engine aircraft from the 1930s. It is small, fast, rugged, and versatile. These qualities quickly made it appealing to the military, and during World War II, it was used as a transport aircraft, a navigation and bombing trainer, and a liaison plane. There are also civilian versions of the Beechcraft, including the D18S model. One of these is now being restored and displayed at Flugwelt Altenburg-Nobitz in Thuringia, Germany.

The aviation museum in Altenburg-Nobitz features 18 airplanes and helicopters that can be viewed outdoors. Currently, dedicated club members are working on their latest addition: a Beechcraft D18S. During World War II, it served as a courier aircraft, was later sold to the Netherlands, and was used at the national aviation school there. After a collision, it was no longer flown and changed owners again. At one point, it was reportedly used by carnival organizers, who removed the wings from the fuselage to make it easier to transport. Now, the volunteer members of the Altenburg-Nobitz aviation club are joining forces to restore and exhibit the low-wing aircraft.

However, the team is facing a number of challenges. The improperly removed wings are just one of many issues. Layers of paint have been stripped, the engines need repairs, and even the threaded fasteners are difficult to work with since the American threads are not compatible with the local metric system. Many original parts of the Beechcraft D18S are missing. Replacement parts are either too expensive or no longer available. That means the restoration crew has to get creative.

3D printing is helping to solve the problem. The club members used 3D printing to produce spark plugs that closely resemble the real thing and faithfully imitate the originals. Since the Beechcraft D18S in Altenburg-Nobitz will never fly again, appearance is more important than full functionality in this case.

That said, it is entirely possible to 3D print fully functional replacement parts. A number of past projects show how additive manufacturing can successfully support the restoration of classic vehicles. For example, Eagle, a company in England, restores luxury Jaguar E-Type models using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology. The Porsche Classic division also uses 3D printing to supply parts for vintage models that no longer have original replacements. Mercedes-Benz, in partnership with Renishaw, is also producing 3D-printed parts for classic cars.

These examples show that additive manufacturing offers a wide range of possibilities for extending the lifespan of vintage vehicles and historical objects. You can learn more about the Beechcraft D18S restoration HERE.

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*All Photo Credits: MDR/Kathrin Welzel

Joseph K:
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