Lady McGregor - a 1943 Vintage Beech Staggerwing

Lady McGregor over the Hills of Tennessee

(Photo by Arnold Greenwell)

   If you had just landed on Earth from outer space, the description may sound goofy: a radial engine cabin-class biplane made of fabric and steel tube with retractable gear. It’s actually anything but goofy. And once you see a Beechcraft Staggerwing, you’ll know why it was voted “the most beautiful airplane”, hands down, in a recent survey. The Depression-Era Staggerwing won out by a huge margin. It is said the Staggerwing is a perfect balance between “muscular strength and delicate grace”, and gets a high rating for its “classic lines and symmetry”.

   Many enthusiasts refer to the Staggerwing as “the Lear Jet of the 1940’s”. This Staggerwing owned by Patty and Alan Russell and was previously owned by the late Malcolm McGregor. McGregor was a well-recognized El Paso attorney who owned the airplane for more than 30 of its 60 year history. In honor of McGregor, the Staggerwing was renamed “Lady McGregor”. “We recognize the responsibility we have to maintain, protect and preserve this important piece of aviation history.” Alan Russell said. The Staggerwing has been on display and has participated in many air shows.

The Beech Staggerwing was the beginning of one of aviation's great stories...  An engineer from Curtis-Wright hooked up with old Walter Beech and started the Beech Aircraft Company which has had a long and storied place in American aviation history

It is called a "Staggerwing" because the lower wing is forward of the upper wing.  This gives the pilot added visibility and helps with stall speeds, since the lower wing stalls first and the nose tends to drop while upper wing is still generating lift.  This makes landing a bit tricky with a nose-up attitude!
 

Patty and Alan Russell in Flight

(Photo by Arnold Greenwell)

General Specifications:

Cruise speed: 202 MPH

Range: 800 miles

Power Plant: 450 hp Pratt & Whitney

Wingspan: 32 feet

Length: 26 feet

Photo spread as published in the November 2009 issue of Air & Space magazine