The USN purchased a total of 360 Beech D-17s from 1937, 18 of them designated as GB-1s and 342 GB-2s powered by an uprated P&W R-985-50 engine. Named "Traveller," the GB-2 served as both a liaison aircraft and as a transport to take ferry pilots to aircraft factories around the US for pick up and delivery of new aircraft for the fleet

World War II UC-43 built as 44-67768 but delivered to the US Navy as bu 23690. Struck off strength in September 1946, the aircraft was eventually registered N67555.

The aircraft was built as UC-43 for the USAAF with serial 44-67768 but was not delivered as such, instead it became GB-2 BuNo. 23690 and delivered April 25th 1944 to the US Navy, serving at Monterey and Alameda. First registered as D17S N67555 in 1963.

Visited Duxford from the Netherlands, joined up with two other Beechcraft D-17S.

The Beech 17 Staggerwing was the Gulfstream of its day, a luxury executive aircraft with prices starting at $14,000 in 1934. During WWII of course it found military applications as a light transport aircraft, and this example was built for the US Navy in 1943 as a Beech GB-2, 33028. It was withdrawn from use in 1946 but started a second life as N17643 in 1958.

This GB-2 was ordered by the US Navy as 23688 but instead was transferred to the USAAF as 44-67723. Then served with the Royal Navy as FT474 and returned to the US Navy post-war as 32873 before passing into private hands (N9459H). She is now on display at the magnificent National Naval Aviation Museum where she wears the original intended markings of an aircraft assigned to the Naval Air Station Pensacola.