Raytheon AC Donates Beechcraft Staggerwing Pedal Plane to Miss Kansas Teen USA

Sorry folks, it's not a "real" Staggerwing... but we did get your attention, didn't we?

Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) presented a Beechcraft Staggerwing pedal plane to Miss Kansas Teen USA 2005, LaTasha Lawrie. Each Miss Teen USA State contestant will donate a gift that represents her state, for a silent auction being held on Saturday, Aug. 6. LaTasha's donation, a toy replica pedal plane, was chosen to represent the lead role Kansas plays in the production of general aviation and commercial aircraft, as well as her home community of Wichita, known as the air capital of the world.

Proceeds from the auction will be donated to Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation, which provides vital funding for nutrient-based research to prevent premature death from chronic diseases. The silent auction will occur a few days before LaTasha participates in the live telecast of the pageant, which will result in the naming of Miss Teen USA 2005. The pageant, produced! by the Miss Universe Organization - a Donald Trump and NBC Universal partnership, will air live from Baton Rouge, La. on Aug. 8 at 8:00 p.m. CT.

LaTasha is the daughter of Carol Lawrie, a team leader for the Beechcraft King Air at RAC's facility in Wichita. Simon Caldecott, vice president, Hawker and Beechcraft Assembly Operations, presented the award to LaTasha at the north end of the King Air line in Plant 4, in the same building where her mother works on Beechcraft King Airs.

"Raytheon Aircraft Company is honored to donate this gift to represent the state of Kansas. The Beechcraft brand that adorns this toy pedal plane, and all of our Beechcraft products embodies passion, commitment, and reliability, as do the people of Kansas," said Caldecott.

The pedal plane, similar to a pedal car, is a toy replica of Beech Aircraft Company's 1932 Model 17 Staggerwing plane, designed by Walter H. Beech and airplane designer T.A. "Ted" Wells. Together the two collaborated on a project that many considered foolhardy - a large, powerful, and fast bi-plane built specifically for the business executive. The Beech Model 17, popularly known as the "Staggerwing" (the name comes from the top wing being set, or staggered, behind the bottom wing), was first flown on November 4, 1932.

FMI: www.raytheonaircraft.com