Steve Ferguson (American, B. 1946) "1946 Beechcraft Bonanza" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood Powered Flight Commemorative Cover for "Centennial of Aviation" issued 2003. The Model 35 Bonanza featured retractable tri-cycle gear that made landing easy. A pilot and three or four passengers could be carried in comfort at a cruising speed of more than 150 mph. But where the all-metal Bonanza really shined was in its ease of maintenance and durability. Some pilots did not care for the V-tail, which imparted a slight oscillation to the flight path, and so in 1959 Beech produced the Model 33 Debonair with a conventional tail unit. Beech continued to improve the aircraft over the years with additional features and more powerful engines. The basic design was adapted for military purposes as the QU-22B in the "Pave Eagle" program, and in more modified form as the T-34A Mentor, which served both the Air Force and the Navy as a primary trainer. Image Size: 16.25 x 14 in. Overall Size: 20 x 15 in. Unframed. (B17104)