(Variants/Other Names:
Model 75; NS-1; N2S; PT-13; PT-18; PT-27)
History: Instantly recognizable, the Boeing PT-17 Stearman
has firmly established its place in American military aviation history.
 Built
by the Stearman Aircraft Company of Wichita, KS, this two-seat bi-plane
was of mixed construction. The wings are wood with fabric covering
and the fuselage is a welded steel framework covered with fabric.
The venerable trainer began life as a design of the Stearman Division
of United Aircraft which was aquired by Boeing 1934.
At the time of the takeover, Boeing had been developing
a trainer designated X-70, development on the X-70 training bi-plane
was well advanced, and Stearman continued work on the type under Boeing
ownership. The prototype of the Stearman Model 75, as the X70 became
known, flew for the first time in 1936. The Continental R-670 (PT-17)
engine powered most models, at a top speed of 124 mph with a 505-mile
range.
That year Stearman delivered the first production Model
35s, as the PT13, to the US Army Air Corps. That service immediately
found the Lycoming R680 powered PT13 to be an ideal basic trainer,the
airframe was rugged and forgiving, and the slow turning radial engine
was reliable and reasonably economical.
 The
plane was easy to fly, and relatively forgiving of new pilots. It
gained a reputation as a rugged airplane and a good teacher. One area
that did cause some difficulty was in taxiing visibility. The three-point
attitude is poor from the rear seat and even worse from the front,
with the high center of gravity and narrow gear tread, the Stearman
could be prone to flipping. Officially named the Boeing Model 75,
the plane was (and still is) persistently known as the "Stearman" by
many who flew them. It was called the "PT" by the Army, "N2S" by
the Navy and "Kaydet" by Canadian forces. By whatever name,
more than 10,000 were built by the end of 1945 and at least 1,000
are still flying today worldwide. [History by Jeff VanDerford.]
Nicknames: Yellow Peril. (Some Stearman owners claim
this name resulted specifically from the Stearman's allegedly challenging
ground-handling characteristics, but most WWII veterans contend that
the nickname was more of a generic reference to the dangerous nature
of primary flight training, an endeavor in which the Stearman obviously
played a major role.
America's entry into World War II brought with it massive
requirements for pilot training and the US Army and Navy went on to
buy thousands of PT13s and Continental engined PT17s and N2Ss. During
the war almost all American pilots undertook basic training in the
PT13 or PT17.
It is a regular attendee at many air-shows throughout
the region. This aircraft is fully aerobatic performing such maneuvers
as loops, rolls, wingovers, hammerheads and more. Since there
isn’t an inverted fuel system, inverted flight is limited to
8 seconds. Please visit us at any of our appearances and say hello.
Specifications (PT17):
Manufacturer: Boeing Aircraft Company
Year Built: 1940's
Engine: One 220-hp R-670-5 Continental
radial piston engine
Weight: Empty 1,936 lbs., Max
Takeoff 2,717 lbs.
Wing Span: 32ft. 2in.
Length: 25ft.
Height: 9ft. 2in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 124 mph
Cruise Speed: 106 mph
Ceiling: 11,200 ft.
Range: 505 miles
Armament: None
Number Built: 10,000+
Number Still Airworthy: Approximately
1,000
Photo & Video Gallery
Click to view the Stearman
in action
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