Grimes Flying Laboratory
The paint scheme, more than 75 lights, and its past role as a flying laboratory make this Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor unique. Several of the 75 lights are visible here, illustrating this aircraft's previous role as a lab. The three closest lights to the photo's foreground are an incadescent beacon, a xenon beacon, and a xenon strobe & beacon (listed foreground to background).
Grimes Manufacturing Company was a pioneer in aircraft lighting. From the 1960s to the 1980s the company used this aircraft as its Flying Laboratory to test and demonstrate aircraft lighting. In 1973 the red, white, and blue paint scheme was applied. After being sold to another owner in 1986, the aircraft was damaged in an accident and fell into disrepair. In 1999, it was purchased again by Grimes and restored. The restoration was completed in 2008. The non-profit Grimes Flying Lab Foundation acquired the aircraft in 2003 and continues to operate it from Grimes Field in Urbana, Ohio.
This aircraft was built in 1944 as a C-45F Expeditor (44-47145), the military version of the Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech. The United States Army Air Force used it as a trainer. In 1953 it was re-manufactured as a C-45H for the United States Air Force.
Seen at Aerospace & Natural Science Academy of Toledo Open House and Aviation Expo.
Grimes Flying Laboratory
The paint scheme, more than 75 lights, and its past role as a flying laboratory make this Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor unique. Several of the 75 lights are visible here, illustrating this aircraft's previous role as a lab. The three closest lights to the photo's foreground are an incadescent beacon, a xenon beacon, and a xenon strobe & beacon (listed foreground to background).
Grimes Manufacturing Company was a pioneer in aircraft lighting. From the 1960s to the 1980s the company used this aircraft as its Flying Laboratory to test and demonstrate aircraft lighting. In 1973 the red, white, and blue paint scheme was applied. After being sold to another owner in 1986, the aircraft was damaged in an accident and fell into disrepair. In 1999, it was purchased again by Grimes and restored. The restoration was completed in 2008. The non-profit Grimes Flying Lab Foundation acquired the aircraft in 2003 and continues to operate it from Grimes Field in Urbana, Ohio.
This aircraft was built in 1944 as a C-45F Expeditor (44-47145), the military version of the Beechcraft Model 18 Twin Beech. The United States Army Air Force used it as a trainer. In 1953 it was re-manufactured as a C-45H for the United States Air Force.
Seen at Aerospace & Natural Science Academy of Toledo Open House and Aviation Expo.