RYAN STM-2

1934’€“42

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ryan Aeronautical Co., a successor to the manufacturer of Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic plane, revived in 1934 after the Depression to produce the ST two-seat monoplane series.
  • The ST series included civilian models (ST, STA, STA Special) and military variants (STM1, STM2), with the STM2 being adopted by the U.S. Army Air Corps as the PT-20.
  • Characterized by engines like the 125-hp Menasco C-4 and solid performance, many aircraft from this historical series remain active today.
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STANDARD DATA: Seats 2. Gross wt. 1,600. Empty wt. 1,027. Fuel capacity 24. Engine 125-hp Menasco C-4.
PERFORMANCE: Top mph 150. Cruise mph 127. Stall mph 42. Initial climb rate 1,200. Range 350. Ceiling 17,500.

The Ryan Aeronautical Co. was a successor to the Ryan Co. that produced the airplane Charles Lindbergh used to cross the Atlantic. The company benefited from the airplane boom that followed but succumbed to the Depression in 1931. In 1934, the company was revived and began building the ST two-seat monoplane series. There were three models: the ST with a 95-hp Menasco, the STA with a 125-hp Menasco, and the STA Special with a 150-hp Menasco. For military purposes, the STM1 was built with the 150-hp engine and sold to many Latin American countries. It was followed by the STM2, which embodied several modifications specified by the U.S. Army Air Corps and was designated the PT-20. Numerous aircraft of this type are still active.

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