The Stearman model 75, widely known as the Stearman, Boeing Stearman (Stearman became a subsidiary of Boeing in 1934) or Kaydet was a biplane built in the United States during the 1930s as a military trainer aircraft. It served as the basic trainer for the USAAF and USN throughout World War II and after the conflict was over, thousands of surplus aircraft were sold on the civil market. In the immediate post-war years they became popular as crop dusters and as sports planes.

The Kaydet was of rugged construction, and conventional biplane design with large, fixed tailwheel undercarriage, and accommodation for the student and instructor in open cockpits in tandem. The radial engine was uncowled.

Specifications (PT-17)

General Characteristics

• Crew: two, student and instructor
• Length: 24 ft 3 in (7.39 m)
• Wingspan: 32 ft 2 in (9.81 m)
• Height: 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)
• Wing area: ft² ( m²)
• Empty: 1,936 lb (4,259 kg)
• Loaded: lb ( kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 2,717 lb (5,977 kg)
• Powerplant: 1x Continental R-670 -5, 220 hp (164 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 124 mph (198 km/h)
• Range: 505 miles (808 km)
• Service ceiling: 11,200 ft (3,415 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: hp/lb ( kW/kg)

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft: De Havilland Tiger Moth

Designation sequence (Stearman): Model 73 - Model 75 - Model 80 - Model 81

Designation sequence (USAAF): PT-10 - PT-11 - PT-12 - PT-13 - PT-14 - PT-15 - PT-16 - PT-17 - PT-18 - PT-19 - PT-20 - PT-21 - PT-22 - PT-26 - PT-27 - T-28 - T-29 - T-30

Designation sequence (USN): NS - N2S