CT-128 Expeditor 3 TM

The CT‑128 Expeditor 3 TM is the Royal Canadian Air Force’s designation for the Beechcraft Model 18, a twin‑engine, low‑wing monoplane that first entered service in the late 1940s. Built under licence by de Havilland Canada, the aircraft was delivered to the RCAF between 1950 and 1955, where it served as a versatile utility platform for transport, liaison, and multi‑engine pilot training. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R‑985 radial engines, the Expeditor could carry up to six passengers or a modest cargo load, while its rugged all‑metal construction, fixed landing gear, and simple, reliable systems made it well suited to Canada’s varied climate and remote airfields.

Key features include a spacious cabin with removable seats for rapid configuration changes, a robust fuel system offering a range of roughly 1,100 km, and dual‑control instrumentation that enabled cadet pilots to master twin‑engine operations and navigation techniques. The “3 TM” variant incorporated updated avionics and a modernized interior, extending its operational relevance into the 1990s.

The CT‑128’s significance lies in its contribution to Canada’s post‑war aircrew development, providing a dependable workhorse that bridged the gap between basic trainers and larger transport aircraft, and cementing the Beechcraft Expeditor’s reputation as one of the most adaptable military utility planes of its era.