Written by Nicole Ellan James
ESTABLISHING SCENE: A SMALL PRIVATE PLANE WHISKS THROUGH CLOUDS
INSIDE: Lee Iacocca and other Ford execs sip drinks. Carroll Shelby sticks his head in the cockpit…
SHELBY: Mind if I take a shot at landing? I used to fly B-29s outta San Antonio back in ’44. My instructor said to me, “Shelby, when this war’s over, do us all a favor and stay on the ground.”
CUT TO: DOWN BELOW
A crowd is gathered for the reveal of a new Ford Mustang. The small plane makes a swoopy, looping approach. It’s not lined up right and continues low to the ground as it circles for another approach.
IN THE COCKPIT: Shelby turns back to the runway at a rough angle.
THE PLANE bounces twice, over the runway.
ON BOARD: Knuckles white, Ford’s execs shudder as the craft comes to a stop.
IN THE COCKPIT: Shelby takes off Comms. Powers the craft down.
SHELBY: It’s like riding a bike.
THE DOOR OPENS: Shelby salutes the crowd…
PHIL REMINGTON: Nothing like makin’ an entrance.
KEN MILES: Nice landing.
The plane Carroll Shelby (played by Matt Damon) is seen piloting in the 2019 film “Ford v Ferrari” (scene described above) is a 1952 Twin Beechcraft D18S, also known simply as a Twin Beech. It was originally built as a 3NM model for the Canadian Airforce and was used as a navigation trainer in Canada. According to Sport Aviation, the 3NM is essentially a D18 with minor differences that include thicker upper wing skins between the fuselage – the main body of the aircraft – and the nacelles, which are streamlined containers for aircraft parts. Following its service, the Beech was brought to the United States around 1966, where it sat and was occasionally used as a haunted house on Halloween. It was acquired by the current owner in 1985 and was promptly restored. The following year the plane was used for a scene in the television series “Crime Story” starring Dennis Farina.
Since 1986 the plane has been featured in over 25 movies and television series. Most notably it stared in a 1990 episode of “Unsolved Mysteries” featuring Robert Stack, the 1994 films “Amelia Earhart: The Final Flight” and “Terminal Velocity” starring Charlie Sheen, “Man on the Moon” with Jim Carrey in 1999, an episode of “House” in 2005, the 2008 “Spy Kids” movie and, of course, “Ford v Ferrari” in 2019. Over the years it has also starred in commercials for many major brands, including Pepsi, Honda and Bud Light.
With all the movie and TV history behind it, this Beech D18 is ready for its next starring role: Barrett-Jackson’s 2024 Scottsdale Auction, January 20-28 at WestWorld. Selling with No Reserve, the D18 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-985 9-cylinder radial engines rated with 450 horsepower, each turning Hamilton Standard two-blade props fitted with Canadian blades and an Aerospace spar strap. The silver plane sits on Cleveland wheels and brakes with all metalized control services.
Entry to the aircraft is at the left rear of the fuselage through the fold-down step-door, which is covered in the same Burgundy carpet that runs through the cabin of the Beech D18. The interior is finished in Burgundy and gray and features five high-back reclining seats and a fold-out desk.
Inside the cockpit, the Beech is equipped with an IFR panel that presents necessary information to pilots for flying under instrument flight rules (IFR). IFR is used in situations where visual flight rules (VFR) would not be possible, such as during nighttime or unclear weather conditions. Additionally, it features dual King KX-155 NAV/COMM, which shows simultaneous active and standby frequencies for both the NAV and COMM sides, an Apollo GPS, King 76 transponder with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), which combines an aircraft’s positioning source, aircraft avionics and a ground infrastructure to create an accurate surveillance interface between aircraft and air traffic control. The D18 also features S-TEC 65 autopilot with electric trim that provides automatic elevator trim follow-up when the pitch axis of the autopilot is engaged.
As of October 23, 2023, the air frame total time is 8,344 hours, while both engines are 682 SMOH by Aero Engines in Los Angeles, CA, and the 5-year prop AD (Airworthiness Directive) was done on both props in November 2021 by Aero Propeller in Hemet, CA. The props won’t be due until November 2026. Even though the propellers have very little time on them, these are what you call “calendar” ADs. Even if the airplane only flew 1 hour in 5 years, this AD has to be done every 5 years regardless.
As the curtain falls on its cinematic journey, this Beech D18 awaits its next chapter, ready to soar into the hands of a new owner who will not just possess an aircraft, but a piece of living history. The Barrett-Jackson 2024 Scottsdale Auction is set to be the stage for the next exciting adventure in the legacy of this remarkable Twin Beech. Register to bid today.
The Barrett-Jackson 2024 Scottsdale Auction is set to be the stage for the next exciting adventure in the legacy of this remarkable Twin Beech.