Bossier City in Bossier Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Beechcraft C-45 “Expeditor”

USAFM 1987-9

Gary Todd via Flickr (Public Domain), July 14, 2017

1. Beechcraft C-45 “Expeditor” Marker

Inscription. The C-45 was the World War II military version of the popular Beechcraft Model 18 commercial light transport. Beechcraft built a total of 4,526 of these aircraft for the Army Air Forces (AAF) between 1939 and 1945 in four versions, the AT-7 “Navigator” navigation trainer, the AT-11 “Kansan” bombing-gunnery trainer, the C-45 “Expeditor” utility transport, and the F-2 for aerial photography and mapping. The AT-7 and AT-11 versions were well-known to World War II navigators and bombardiers, for most of these men received their training in these aircraft. Thousands of AAF pilot cadets also were given advanced training in twin-engine Beechcraft airplanes.

During the early 1950s, Beechcraft completely rebuilt 900 C-45s for the Air Force. They received new serial numbers and were designated C-45Gs remaining in service until 1963 for administrative and light cargo duties.

The C-45 on display is painted to represent and honor the role of US Army Air Forces personnel transport. Specifically, this C-45 depicts a typical C-45 assigned to Headquarters 8th Air Force during the time when Lt. Gen James H. Doolittle commanded the “Mighty

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Eighth” from High Wycombe, UK.

Specifications
Span: 47' 8" • Length: 34' 2" • Height: 9' 2" • Weight: 9,300 lbs • Crew: two (2) • Armament: none • Cost: $57,838

Performance
Max speed: 219 mph • Cruising: 150 mph • Range: 1,140 miles • Service ceiling: 18,200 ft • Engine: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-985s

Erected by Barksdale Global Power Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 32° 30.753′ N, 93° 40.92′ W. Marker is in Bossier City, Louisiana, in Bossier Parish. It is on Range Road 0.2 miles north of Shreveport Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at Barksdale Global Power Museum on Barksdale Air Force Base. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 88 Shreveport Rd, Bossier City LA 71112, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Louisiana.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the

Beechcraft C-45 “Expeditor” and Marker image. Click for full size.

Gary Todd via Flickr (Public Domain), July 14, 2017

2. Beechcraft C-45 “Expeditor” and Marker

A person is reading the marker, near the left wing.

Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Beechcraft AT-11 “Kansan” (within shouting distance of this marker); Berlin Airlift Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The B-24 Flying Eightballs (within shouting distance of this marker); 344th Bomb Group (M) AAF (within shouting distance of this marker); Martin SM-68B “Titan II” RV (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 486th Bombardment Group (H) (about 300 feet away); "Hell's Angels" (about 300 feet away); 34th Bomb Group Memorial (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bossier City.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.