Well, congrats to both Sunvisor Flyer and Rob for getting it right, and quickly! The Beech Model 34 Twin-Quad didn't conform to any other Beech design except for it's vee tail (albeit huge) ala the Model 35 Bonanza of the same era.
Each pair of pusher engines on the high wing were coupled to a single pusher propeller though a common gearbox, designed by Beech engineer Alex Odevseff, so four engines drove two pusher props. The intent of the streamlined all-metal aircraft was to build a postwar feeder airliner with 20 seats (this was prior to the 19 seat rule that didn't require a flight attendant). The tri-gear was retractable. Four 8 cylinder opposed, geared and supercharged Lycoming GSO-580 engines of 400 Hp each at 3,300 rpm gave a 1,400 statute mile range, cruising at 180 mph. Only the prototype was built, and tested for nearly a year and a half. The forced gear-up landing of the prototype soon after a takeoff killed the program but confirmed minimal damage of the design, yet the plane was damaged beyond economical repair. The design goal of 300 mph was never attained.
Length: 53 ft.
Wingspan: 70 ft.
Height: to top of Vee tail-nearly 18 feet.
Max designed gross weight: 20,000 lbs. with 1,000 lbs. cargo.
Incidentally, Founder Walter H. Beech at some time required his aeronautical engineers to take flight training as a condition of continuing employment. A fine idea.
