/3
The Stearman PT-13 Kaydet was adopted by the U.S. Army and Navy as a primary trainer and served in that role from 1936 to 1945. Known as "Stearmans," they were actually built by Boeing who, in 1934, had acquired the Stearman Aircraft Company. The design, based on the civil Model 70, was practically considered an antique when introduced, but the biplanes were rugged, maneuverable, and ideal for the rigors of military flight training. Most Stearmans survived the war, and many became prized as crop dusters and airshow performers.
The Museum's Kaydet was manufactured as an Army PT-13A with a Lycoming R-680-7 engine, but was restored with the Continental R-670 engine used in the later PT-17 model. Built in 1937, it was the 55th of over 8,584 Kaydet" produced. It may have flown out of Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas in the late 1930s and in California in the early 1940s. It was eventually sold to a private owner. The Stearman was later wrecked, then purchased and rebuilt in 1962 by Francis Londo, assisted by Chuck Milton. It was bought by William I. Phillips in 1977 and donated to the Museum in 1983. Notably, the aircraft took part in flight demonstrations that were part of the Boeing B-17 50th Anniversary commemoration at Boeing Field, Seattle, in 1985.
The Stearman PT-13 Kaydet was adopted by the U.S. Army and Navy as a primary trainer and served in that role from 1936 to 1945. Known as "Stearmans," they were actually built by Boeing who, in 1934, had acquired the Stearman Aircraft Company. The design, based on the civil Model 70, was practically considered an antique when introduced, but the biplanes were rugged, maneuverable, and ideal for the rigors of military flight training. Most Stearmans survived the war, and many became prized as crop dusters and airshow performers.
The Museum's Kaydet was manufactured as an Army PT-13A with a Lycoming R-680-7 engine, but was restored with the Continental R-670 engine used in the later PT-17 model. Built in 1937, it was the 55th of over 8,584 Kaydet" produced. It may have flown out of Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas in the late 1930s and in California in the early 1940s. It was eventually sold to a private owner. The Stearman was later wrecked, then purchased and rebuilt in 1962 by Francis Londo, assisted by Chuck Milton. It was bought by William I. Phillips in 1977 and donated to the Museum in 1983. Notably, the aircraft took part in flight demonstrations that were part of the Boeing B-17 50th Anniversary commemoration at Boeing Field, Seattle, in 1985.
