@ Harris Ranch, CA
May 2018
I spotted this classic 1956 Bonanza during a fuel stop off I-5 at the Harris Ranch complex which includes a small single runway airport. I am a firm believer that the aesthetics of any airplane are improved with the addition of tip tanks and this example provides more evidence. The Beechcraft Bonanza was introduced in 1947, starting with the Model 35 V-tail which was produced until 1982. The Bonanza is still being produced by Beechcraft and has been in continuous production longer than any other airplane in history, with more than 17,000 of all variants produced. 464 of these H35 variants were built, with a larger engine and strengthened structure. The V-tail gained a reputation as the “forked-tail doctor killer”, due to crashes by overconfident pilots and in-flight breakups. Nikon D500 w/18-200mm.
