A small group of people stood in front of two tail-dragger twin-engine planes on the Warbird ramp at Sun ‘n Fun, wondering if they were looking at a pair of Beech 18s or Lockheed Electras? Or both? The airplanes are about the same size. Both airplanes have a pair of rounded rudders. Both have retractable gear.
From a distance, it may be hard to tell, but once you get up close, the subtle differences become clear. For example, the Lockheed has a light on the nose. The Beech doesn’t. The tail fins of the Electra have a slight straight edge. The Beech’s tail fins are more rounded. Be warned: Referring to a Lockheed as a Beech or vice versa is a faux pas in the aviation world.
