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Known for rugged dependability and no-nonsense design, Stearman C-2s and C-3s became popular workhorses on the short-haul "feeder" lines of America's growing commercial airmail system in the late 1920s. The majority of Stearman C-3s were the C-3B "Sport Commercial" variety, with a Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine. Many C-3Bs were used as sportplanes and advanced trainers well into the 1930s. Nearing the end of their days, some C-3s became crop-dusting aircraft until after World War II, when replaced with another Stearman biplane, surplus Kaydet trainers.
The Museum's C-3B was manufactured in Wichita, Kansas in 1928. It was one of four aircraft delivered to U.S. Bureau of Commerce Airways Division for survey work. It later became a cropduster. By the early 1960s, the aircraft had been abandoned in Nevada. It was ferried to Twin Falls, Idaho around 1963 but suffered a ground loop accident there. Later, the aircraft was transported to Iowa, where its owner, Shelby Hagberg, sold it in 1966 to R. J. McWhorter of Prosser, Washington. (McWhorter had earlier spotted the Stearman in Twin Falls and maintained correspondence with Hagberg to make his interest known.)
McWhorter commenced a restoration project from 1966 to 1972, including installation of an original Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine. The project ultimately depicted the aircraft as a Western Air Express airmail carrier of circa 1928. It sports a "C.A.M. 12" stencil on the fuselage, indicating an aircraft flying Contract Air Mail Route 12, between Pueblo, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The restored aircraft incorporates a few concessions to modern flying, such as a tailwheel rather than a skid, but is otherwise authentic to its late 1920s roots.
The aircraft and Mr. McWhorter won numerous awards from the Experimental Aircraft Association and other organizations. After about 200 post-restoration flight hours, the Museum acquired this beautiful Stearman from Mr. McWhorter in 1986.
Known for rugged dependability and no-nonsense design, Stearman C-2s and C-3s became popular workhorses on the short-haul "feeder" lines of America's growing commercial airmail system in the late 1920s. The majority of Stearman C-3s were the C-3B "Sport Commercial" variety, with a Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine. Many C-3Bs were used as sportplanes and advanced trainers well into the 1930s. Nearing the end of their days, some C-3s became crop-dusting aircraft until after World War II, when replaced with another Stearman biplane, surplus Kaydet trainers.
The Museum's C-3B was manufactured in Wichita, Kansas in 1928. It was one of four aircraft delivered to U.S. Bureau of Commerce Airways Division for survey work. It later became a cropduster. By the early 1960s, the aircraft had been abandoned in Nevada. It was ferried to Twin Falls, Idaho around 1963 but suffered a ground loop accident there. Later, the aircraft was transported to Iowa, where its owner, Shelby Hagberg, sold it in 1966 to R. J. McWhorter of Prosser, Washington. (McWhorter had earlier spotted the Stearman in Twin Falls and maintained correspondence with Hagberg to make his interest known.)
McWhorter commenced a restoration project from 1966 to 1972, including installation of an original Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine. The project ultimately depicted the aircraft as a Western Air Express airmail carrier of circa 1928. It sports a "C.A.M. 12" stencil on the fuselage, indicating an aircraft flying Contract Air Mail Route 12, between Pueblo, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The restored aircraft incorporates a few concessions to modern flying, such as a tailwheel rather than a skid, but is otherwise authentic to its late 1920s roots.
The aircraft and Mr. McWhorter won numerous awards from the Experimental Aircraft Association and other organizations. After about 200 post-restoration flight hours, the Museum acquired this beautiful Stearman from Mr. McWhorter in 1986.
