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PT-17

PT-17


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1. - Development

The Stearman (Boeing) Model 75 is a biplane, of which at least 9,783 were built in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s as a military trainer aircraft.

Stearman Aircraft became a subsidiary of Boeing in 1934. Widely known as the Stearman, Boeing Stearman or Kaydet, it served as a primary trainer for the USAAF, as a basic trainer for the USN (as the NS & N2S), and with the RCAF as the Kaydet throughout World War II.

After the conflict was over, thousands of surplus aircraft were sold on the civil market. In the immediate post-war years they became popular as crop dusters and as sports planes.


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2. - Serial #'s

PT-17 Stearman - Serials

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3. - Operational History

History: Even though the US Army Air Corps needed a new biplane trainer in the mid-1930’s, it moved slowly to acquire one because of the service-wide lack of funding for new airplane purchases. In 1936, following the Navy’s lead the previous year, the Army tentatively bought 26 airframes from Boeing (the Model 75), which the Army named the PT-13. With war on the horizon, this trickle of acquisition soon turned into a torrent; 3519 were delivered in 1940 alone.

Built as a private venture by the Stearman Aircraft Company of Wichita (bought by Boeing in 1934), this two-seat biplane was of mixed construction. The wings were of wood with fabric covering while the fuselage had a tough, welded steel framework, also fabric covered. Either a Lycoming R-680 (PT-13) or Continental R-670 (PT-17) engine powered most models, at a top speed of 124 mph with a 505-mile range. An engine shortage in 1940-41 led to the installation of 225-hp Jacobs R-755 engines on some 150 airframes, and the new designation PT-18.

The US Navy's early aircraft, designated NS-1, eventually evolved into the N2S series, and the Royal Canadian Air Force called their Lend-Lease aircraft PT-27s. (The Canadians were also responsible for the moniker "Kaydet," a name eventually adopted by air forces around the globe).

The plane was easy to fly, and relatively forgiving of new pilots. It gained a reputation as a rugged airplane and a good teacher. 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. Other aircraft such as the N3N also carried the Yellow Peril nickname.)

Number Built: 10,000+

Number Still Airworthy: 1000+
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4. - Variants

The US Army Air Forces Kaydet had three different designations based on its power plant:

PT-13, with a Lycoming R-680 engine. 2,141 total all models.

PT-13 Initial production. R-680-B4B engine. 26 built. Boeing Model 75.
PT-13A R-680-7 engine. 92 delivered 1937-38. Model A-75.
PT-13B R-680-11 engine. 255 delivered 1939-40.
PT-13C Six PT-13Bs modified for instrument flying.
PT-13D PT-13As equipped with the R-680-17 engine. 353 delivered.
PT-17 with a Continental R-670-5 engine. 3,519 delivered
PT-17A 18 PT-17s were equipped with blind-flying instrumention.
PT-17B Three PT-17s were equipped with agricultural spraying equipment for pest-control.
PT-18 PT-13 with a Jacobs R-755 engine, 150 built.
PT-18A Six PT-18s fitted with blind-flying instrumention.
PT-27 Canadian PT-17. This designation was given to 300 aircraft supplied under Lend-Lease to the RCAF.

The US Navy had several versions including:

NS-1 Up to 61 delivered. powered by surplus 220 hp (164 kW) Wright J-5 Whirlwind. Model 73.
N2S Known colloquially as the "Yellow Peril" from its overall-yellow paint scheme.
N2S-1 R-670-14 engine. 250 delivered to the US Navy.
N2S-2 R-680-8 engine. 125 delivered to the US Navy.
N2S-3 R-670-4 engine. 1,875 delivered to the US Navy.
N2S-4 99 US Army aircraft were diverted to the US Navy, plus 577 new aircraft were delivered to the US Navy.
N2S-5 R-680-17 engine. 1,450 delivered to the US Navy.

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5. - Technical Specifications

Engine: One 220-horsepower Continental R-670-5 piston radial engine (PT-17)
Weight: Empty 1,936 lbs., Max Takeoff 2,717 lbs.
Wing Span: 32ft. 2in.
Length: 24ft. 3in.
Height: 9ft. 2in.

Performance:

Maximum Speed: 124 mph
Ceiling: 11,200 ft.
Range: 505 miles
Armament: None

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6. - Operators

  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Canada
    • Royal Canadian Air Force
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Cuba
  • Dominican Republic
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Israel
  • Mexico
  • Philippines
    • Philippine Army Air Corps
    • Philippine Air Force
  • United States
    • US Army Air Corps/US Army Air Forces
    • US Marine Corps
    • United States Navy
  • Venezuela

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7. - Survivors


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8. - Links


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9. - Markings


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10. - References



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