The Stearman Model-75

In the mid-1930s, the U.S. Army Air Corps needed a new trainer, and in 1936, the Army bought 26 biplanes from the Boeing Aircraft Co., which had just acquired the Stearman Aircraft Co. Powered by a Lycoming R-680 radial engine, the new dual-cockpit primary trainers were quickly renamed the “PT-13.” The original engines were soon replaced by the Continental R-670, and the biplane was designated the “PT-17.” Throughout its service, these biplanes were referred to by many names: “the PT” by the Army, “the N2S” by the Navy, and “the Kaydet” by Canadian forces. Officially known as the “Boeing Model-75,” the PT-17 was often simply referred to as the “Stearman.”

With a top speed of 124mph, a cruise speed of 106mph, and a range of roughly 500 miles, the Stearman was an easyto-fly, ruggedly built aircraft. By the end of 1945, more than 10,000 airframes had been built. The Stearman went on to become a popular surplus aircraft that many freshly discharged pilots bought for their civilian-aviation careers. Throughout the ’50s and ’60s, PT-17s found work as mail planes, crop dusters, training aircraft, advertising-banner-towing planes, and even barnstorming airshow planes. Today, there are more than 1,000 still in flying condition. In 1942, the average cost of a PT-17 was about $9,800. Today, the much-sought-after biplane will set you back between $75,000 and $100,000, depending on its condition—not too bad for such a well-used trainer aircraft!