Video Tools
Email Email Comments Comments (2)
RSS RSS

Aerobatic Beech

At about 6,000 pounds, the Beech 18 that Matt Younkin twirls around the airshow circuit is one of the heavier civilian airplanes performing today. No wonder he chose for his musical accompaniment the song “Pink Elephants on Parade.” But in this video excerpt of Younkin’s routine, it’s easy to see why the historic Twin Beech established a reputation for elegance. In the 1940s and early 1950s, Beech 18s and their military counterpart C-45s squired corporate executives and generals to boardrooms and bases. The DC-3 of the corporate set, the Twin Beech is today a favorite among aviation history buffs.

Younkin’s father, airshow legend Bobby Younkin, flew performances in a Twin Beech beginning in 1990. (Younkin died in 2005 when he and show partner Jimmy Franklin collided during a “Masters of Disaster” routine.) With a paint scheme that emphasizes the 18’s graceful lines, Matt Younkin’s current Beech continues the tradition and is in heavy demand; Younkin performed at 23 shows last season with both daytime and nighttime routines. (00:59)

Video: Julie Artz

Related Article




Digg
 
Comments (2)

I was privileged to attend AirVenture 2012 at Oshkosh Wisconsin this past July
and witness this performance by Matt Younkin. Truly he is a gifted pilot and the
Twin Beech he flies is a joy to watch. Thanks for the memories!

Posted by George Frederick on December 6,2012 | 09:35 PM

Thanx to video photographer Julie Artz for managing to capture the extraordinary beauty of this otherwise ordinary aircraft. I've always admired the photographers National Geographic employs, without such talented people only a limited audience would witness Matt Younkin's breathtaking performance. Thank you.

Posted by John Beach on January 23,2013 | 11:57 PM

Post a Comment


Name: (required)

Email: (required)

Comment:

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until Smithsonian.com has approved them. Smithsonian reserves the right not to post any comments that are unlawful, threatening, offensive, defamatory, invasive of a person's privacy, inappropriate, confidential or proprietary, political messages, product endorsements, or other content that might otherwise violate any laws or policies.



Advertisement


  • Newest
  • Most Viewed