The Stearman airplane was used during World War II as a primary trainer for both Army Air Corps and the Navy. This airplane is painted in authentic Navy colors, although many Navy aircraft were all yellow with no band on the wings and fuselage, and some were painted with a red band in place of the green. The number on the fuselage indicated a squadron number.
This particular Stearman was built by the Boeing Aircraft Company in November 1941 and delivered to the military in March of 1942. It is a PT-27. One of the first 32 serial numbers sent to Canada in the lend-lease program. The PT-27 is identical to the PT-17 and N2S-3 but was supposed to have a canopy, lights and heater installed on site in Canada which never happened.
This Stearman is powered by a 220 h.p. Continental engine with seven cylinders and a 670 cu. in. displacement. Normal cruise speed of the aircraft is 95 mph at a power setting of 1750 RPM. Maximum rpm is 2050. Maximum speed (Achieved only in a dive) is 180 mph.
When these airplanes were used for training, they had a one way “gosport” for the instructor to talk to the student. The student had no way of talking back!
You may occasionally see a Stearman doing air show aerobatics. For that purpose they are generally equipped with a 450 h.p. engine, and a second set of ailerons to give them a faster roll rate. This airplane can do a number of aerobatics, but not with the agility of the 450 Stearman.
Fuel is gravity fed from the 46 gallon tank in the center section of the upper wing. With a fuel burn of 13 to 14 Gallons per hour, we have (with some reserve, thank you) about a 2.5 hour range. Cockpit instruments are very basic. We have added a starter, transponder, radio and a intercom for safety and convenience.
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