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 It was withdrawn from use in 1946 but started a second life as N17643 in 1958.