First flown in 1934, this attractive bi-plane went into production in 1936 as the PT-13. It became the standard primary trainer for both the US Army and Navy, as well as being built in Canada, where it was given the name ‘Kaydet’. In all of North America the Kaydet is fondly remembered and many of the 10,000 aircraft built remain in operation today in such roles as crop-spraying, with many pristine examples in the hands of collectors. The Stearman is one of the greatest aircraft of the bi-plane era.
Specification: Two seater Primary Trainer.
Power plant: One 220hp Continental R-670-14 radial piston engine.
Performance:
Maximum speed: 124 mph
Cruising speed: 106 mph
Service Ceiling: 11,200 ft
Maximum range: 505 miles
Dimensions:
Length: 25 ft
Height: 9ft 2 inches
Wing area: 297 sqft
Wing span: 32ft 2 inches
Weight:
Empty: 1936 lbs
Max takeoff: 2717 lbs.
Total production: More than 10,000 of all variants were built until production ceased in early 1945
Model 75: A number of variants were built during the production run, the main features being engine changes and instrument modifications. The PT-13 having a Lycoming radial, PT-17 a Continental 220hp R-670-14 engine, and the PT-18 having a Jacobs engine
History of Stearman N54173
Model Number: B75N1
Serial Number: 756574
Navy Model: N2S-3
Navy Class: VN
Navy Serial: 05400
Original Delivery Date: 09/08/42
Initial test Flight: 09/13/42
Ferry from Wichita to New Orleans: from 9/16/42 to 9/18/42
Ferry from New Orleans to Dallas, TX: 08/22/45
Final Navy Flight: 09/12/47
Restoration: 1996 by Lee Searles in Seattle, WA
Bought by current owner: July 2003
Home base: Hollister (KCVH)
Stearman N2S-3
Owner/Pilot: Stearman-Aero,LLC/Andreas Hotea
The Navy designators were: S=Scout, F=Fighter, N=Trainer
The last letter is the manufacturer’s code.
A N2S-3 was therefore a trainer, the second design by the Stearman Airplane Company, 3rd model. The 3rd model was powered by a 7 Cylinder Continental Motor producing 220 hp.
(From “Wings of Stearman” by Peter M. Bowers)
Important Milestones
10/26/1898 - Born in Harper, Kansas
1920 - Mechanic at the Laird Airplane Company
1923 - Chief Engineer for Swallow Aircraft Company
1924 - Partner in Travel Air Company with Walter Beech and Clyde Cessna
1926 - Moved to Venice, CA and formed Stearman Aircraft Incorporated
1927 - Moved to Wichita with his company
1929 - Stearman Aircraft became part of United Aircraft and Transport Corporation
1930 - Lloyd Stearman resigned as president
1938 - Creation of Stearman Aircraft Division of the Boeing Aircraft Company
1970 - Stearman plant closed
1975 - Lloyd Stearman dies
