The Beech YC-43 assembly line, probably Model 17R. This civilian type was the first production staggerwing model and featured a fixed landing gear. The photo was probably taken in the summer or early fall of 1942.
In late 1938, the Air Corps evaluated the Beech Model D17S for possible use as a light liaison aircraft. Three aircraft were purchased and designated as YC-43s. The distinctive five-place biplane featured negatively staggered wings - the lower wing was forward of the upper wing. The plane also had retractable landing gear and a minimum of drag-producing wing supports which combined to give the YC-43 a cruising speed of about 200 miles per hour. After a short flight test program, the YC-43s were sent to Europe to serve as liaison aircraft with the US Air Attachés in London, Paris and Rome. Assembly line - probably Model 17R. This civilian type was the first production staggerwing model and featured a fixed landing gear. Photo was probably taken in the summer or early fall of 1942. Beech YC-43 (retrieved 7 January 2006)

This photo is not from 1942 but taken in late 1933 or early 1934. The aircraft in the foreground is the A17F being built for Goodall Worsted Corporation. Interesting too is that this picture is from inside the Cessna Aircraft plant on Pawnee (then Franklin road) although in a few months Beech Aircraft would move to the closed Travel Air facilitates at Central and Webb as Clyde Cessna and Dwayne Wallace had restarted Cessna aircraft.