Photograph:
Beech 58 Baron VH-BAK (c/n TH327) at Bankstown, NSW (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Twin-engine business and executive aircraft
Power Plant:
Two 225 kw (301 hp) Continental TSIO-520L six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engines
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 11.55 m (37 ft 10 in)
- Length: 9.11 m (29 ft 10 in)
- Height: 2.89 m (9 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 17.47 m² (188.1 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 462 km/h (287 mph)
- Max cruising speed at 6,100 m (20,000 ft): 430 km/h (267 mph)
- Cruising speed at 65% power: 414 km/h (257 mph)
- Cruising speed at 55% power: 359 km/h (223 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 445 m/min (1,461 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 7,620 m (25,000 ft)
- Range with max fuel with reserves at 6,100 m (20,000 ft): 2,280 km (1,417 miles)
- Empty weight: 1,716 kg (3,780 lb)
- Useful load: 1,071 kg (2,360 lb)
- Loaded weight: 2,770 kg (6,100 lb)
History:
In 1970 the larger Model 58 Baron joined the Beech range, the prototype flying for the first time in June 1969. The new model had a lengthened cabin which increased the aircraft’s utility by having a capacity to seat six, this being the type’s main selling point, and eventually this model was the only model of the Baron which was available. Extra leg room (25 cm – 10 in) for the four rear passengers allowed the cabin to be configured in a ‘club-four’ layout and the aircraft’s utility was enhanced by the installation of double doors on the starboard side and an additional rear window.
The Model 58 used the standard Baron wing and the longer fuselage of the Bonanza 36 series. It was fitted with two 212 kw (285 hp) Continental IO-520 engines, take-off weight being 2,449 kg (5,400 lb). In the first year 98 were delivered. The 58P pressurised model joined the range in 1976, along with the 58TC, both being fitted with 231 kw (310 hp) Continental TSIO-20-L engine. The 58P had a single entry door on the port side and received some structural strengthening to allow for the pressurisation. This model had a cabin pressure differential to allow the aircraft to have a cabin altitude of 3,048 m (10,000 ft) when flying at 6,706 m (22,000 ft). In 1979 the power of these two models was increased by the installation of 242 kw (325 hp) TSIO-520-WB engines, max take-off weight being increased to 2,812 kg (6,200 lb). Production of the 58TC concluded in 1984 after 141 had been delivered, and when production of the 58P concluded 497 had been completed.
The aircraft’s fuselage was semi-monocoque aluminium alloy structure. Each wing was semi-monocoque box beam of aluminium alloy construction with electrically-operated single slot flaps. The undercarriage was tricycle configuration electrically-retracted.
Hawker de Havilland at Bankstown, NSW was the Australian distributor for the series. Beech in advertisements described the Model 58 as “There’s room inside the Baron 58 Model…room for six grown men to stretch out and relax. Room for plenty of baggage, too. Take a look inside the Baron 58. It’s the newest, biggest light twin on the market…ideal for corporations needing a versatile and comfortable high-performance business airplane”.
Some 102 examples of the Model 58 Baron series have appear on the Australian register and two Model 58 Barons have appeared on the New Zealand register.