Boeing-Stearman Model 75


The Stearman Model 75 is a biplane formerly used as a military trainer aircraft, of which at least 10,626 were built in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. 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 United States Army Air Forces, the United States Navy, and with the Royal Canadian Air Force as the Kaydet throughout World War II. After the conflict was over, thousands of surplus aircraft were sold on the civilian market. In the immediate postwar years they became popular as crop dusters, sports planes, and for aerobatic and wing walking use in air shows.

Design and development

The Kaydet was a conventional biplane of rugged construction with a large, fixed tailwheel undercarriage, and accommodation for the student and instructor in open cockpits in tandem. The radial engine was usually uncowled, although some Stearman operators choose to cowl the engine, most notably the Red Baron Stearman Squadron.

Operational history

Post-war usage

After World War II, thousands of surplus PT-17s were auctioned off to civilians and former military pilots. Many were modified for cropdusting use, with a hopper for pesticide or fertilizer fitted in place of the front cockpit. Additional equipment included pumps, spray bars, and nozzles mounted below the lower wings. A popular approved modification to increase the maximum takeoff weight and climb performance involved fitting a larger Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior engine and a constant-speed propeller.

Variants

Data from:United States Navy aircraft since 1911, Boeing aircraft since 1916
The U.S. 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-17: With a Continental R-670-5 engine. 3,519 delivered
;PT-18
;PT-27
The U.S. Navy had several versions including:
;NS
;N2S :Known colloquially as the "Yellow Peril" from its overall-yellow paint scheme.
;Stearman 70
;Model 73
;Stearman 75
;Stearman 76
;Stearman 90 and 91
;Stearman XPT-943
;American Airmotive NA-75

Operators

;

Surviving aircraft

A considerable number of Stearmans remain in flying condition throughout the world, as the type remains a popular sport plane and warbird.
; Argentina
;Brazil
;Canada
;Colombia
;Iceland
;Israel
;Mexico
;Netherlands
;New Zealand
;Peru
;Spain
;Switzerland
;Taiwan
;United States
in Fayetteville, Arkansas

In popular culture

An iconic movie image is a Stearman cropduster chasing Cary Grant across a field in North by Northwest.

Videography