The Boeing/Stearman Model 75 primary trainer is probably the best known bi-plane in aviation history. Commonly referred to as the Stearman PT-17, it was manufactured by the Stearman Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas from 1934 through 1945. Boeing publicity claims a total of 10,346 Stearman “Kaydet” trainers built, but this figure includes equivalent spare parts. The actual total of Model 75’s that were completed from the prototype X-75 to the final E75 built in 1945 was 8,428.

In 1938 the Stearman Aircraft Company became the Stearman Aircraft Division of the Boeing Aircraft Company so in actuality, the majority of the airplanes manufactured were designated as Boeings. However, they are still almost universally known as Stearmans.

Generally, all the Stearman airframes built are the same with the only major difference being the engine installed. Original engines included the Lycoming R-680 (225 hp); Continental R-670 (220 hp) and the Jacobs R-755 (225 hp). Post-war modifications include the Lycoming R-680 (300 hp); Pratt & Whitney R-985 (450 hp) and the Jacobs R-775 (275 hp). The propellers generally in use on Stearmans are the Sensenich wooden prop; the ground adjustable McCauley steel blade prop and the fixed pitch Hamilton Standard propeller.

The Stearmans manufactured for the U.S. Army Air Corps were the PT-13; PT-13A; PT-13B; PT-17; PT-18; PT-27 and PT-13D. The U.S. Navy airplanes were the N2S-1;-2;-3;-4 and-5. The primary difference between the Army and Navy airplanes, other than engines installed, was the tail wheel. Army airplanes had a fully steerable tail wheel while the Navy airplanes were equipped with a full swivel type with a lock. Most Stearmans today have subsequently been modified with the steerable tail wheel. The final version of the Stearman was the E75, designated PT-13D/N2S-5. It was the only complete standardization of an Army and Navy production design during WWII and was totally the same for both services.

Post-war civil requirements for surplus military Stearmans is covered by Aircraft Specification A-743. This document lists all the approved equipment allowed on a standard category Stearman and the items that must have been removed, replaced or modified when the military surplus Stearman was first licensed as a civilian airplane. Over the years there have been many models and STC’s for the Stearman Series. The Stearman makes an outstanding and fun civilian aircraft. The owners enjoy fly-ins, airshows, formation flying and a variety of activities.