BOEING/STEARMAN “KAYDET”
SERIES (PT-13,17-1827 AND N2S) 1934’45
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| STANDARD DATA: Seats: 2; Gross weight: 2,717 lbs.; Empty weight: 1,936 lbs.; Fuel capacity: 43 gals.; Engine: 220 hp Lycoming R-680 or 220 hp Continental R-670. PERFORMANCE: Top speed: 124 mph; Cruise speed: 106 mph; Landing speed: 52 mph; Initial climb rate: 840 fpm; Range: 505 nm; Ceiling: 11,200 ft. |
In 1934, the Stearman Aircraft Company became a Boeing subsidiary and placed its Model 73 into production. It was a variation of both the Stearman Model C series that was produced between 1926 and 1930 and the Model 70 prototype that was completed in 1933. Out of this biplane grew a family of primary trainers, of which more than 2,000 were produced by 1945. The Model 76 was simply a larger version of the Model 75, which was the most prominent member of the family.
The Model 75 was powered by a 215 hp Lycoming and was designated by the military as the PT-13. The series that was produced in the largest numbers was the Model A75NI. It was similar to the PT-13 but was powered by a 220 hp Continental radial engine; its military designation was PT-17. The Royal Canadian Air Force ordered 300 winterized versions of the PT-17 and unofficially changed the name to Kaydet, a name that has come to apply to the entire family of Stearmans.
The last of the 75 series to be produced was the Model E-75 powered by a 220 hp Lycoming engine. When production was terminated on V-J Day, its production totaled more than 1,700 as both the PT-13D and the N2S-5. Thousands of Model 75s have become available for civilian use and are extremely popular, both as a warbird and classic open-cockpit biplanes. In some cases, their original engines have been replaced by the Pratt & Whitney Wasp juniors providing twice the power.
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