BOEING STEARMAN PT-17
On August 24, 1942, the U.S. Navy took delivery of PT-17 serial number 75-3546. It was one of over 10,000 Stearman biplanes built by the Boeing Airplane Company production facility in Wichita, KS, for the primary training of Army Air Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard aviation cadets. Initially assigned to Naval Air Station New Orleans and later to NAS Dallas this plane was used to train Naval Aviation Primary Cadets during WWII. Known affectionately as the "Yellow Peril" its official Navy designation was N2S-4. This was changed to A75N1 when it was sold by the War Assets Administration after the war. There are more than 1,000 Stearmans registered today, but that includes those in museums and currently under restoration. There are probably around 500 actually in airworthy condition.
Powered by a seven-cylinder Continental W670 engine producing 220 horsepower, this stock PT-17 will thrill you with the unique sound of its radial engine. During its life this Stearman has undergone two complete "bare metal" restorations where it was basically re-manufactured from the ground up--essentially becoming a brand new plane each time. Materials and techniques have constantly improved so that this plane is more rugged and durable than the original ones produced during the war effort, but its design has stood the test of time and is still a pilot favorite. Coast Guard aviation cadets were trained in borrowed Navy Stearmans, but a few USCG units with planes on long-term loans devised their own color schemes. This plane is one of only six in the world (and the only one in the entire region) sporting an authentic WWII USCG paint job. After the war many Stearmans were used for barnstorming, crop dusting, and private flying by former WWII flyers. But this plane was always in private hands and has relatively low airframe hours compared to many that were put into commercial operations. It receives very thorough periodic FAA inspections and is constantly pampered by its owner and also its FAA-licensed mechanic who has almost 45 years of experience. |
The Pilots
Capt. Lee Fox
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Col. Kevin Price
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Sights and Sounds
Click the videos below and listen to the roar of the Stearman's powerful engine and see airshow smoke, flips, and gender reveals! Come along for the ride and see the many sights and sounds.
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