Formed specifically for development of the Model 17 "Staggerwing", Walter Beech and Beech Aircraft Company designed this biplane with an unusual "negative-stagger" wing layout. Streamlined and equipped with powerful radial engines, the early Model 17 was often faster than the pursuit planes flown by the military. Continual refinements eventually led to the Model D17 which was powered by a 450 hp radial engine, giving it a cruise sped of 202 m.p.h.