PT-17A STEARMAN KAYDETT MODEL

The Stearman Model 75 is a biplane, military trainer aircraft with 8,854 built in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. It is perhaps the most famous biplane in the US since it was the primary basic trainer throughout World War II.

The PT-17 Stearman is a variant of the Stearman 75, with a Continental R-670 engine. The PT-17 has a crew of two, for a student and an instructor. It has a maximum speed of 124 mph and a range of 505 mi.

During the war, almost all American pilots undeertook basic training on either the PT-13s or the PT-17s. The PT-17 was exported to Canada as the Kaydet, Britain and other nations. After the war, the aircrafts rugged construction and good low speed handling saw large numbers converted for agricultural spraying work. Conversions involved the replacement of the aircrafts fabric covering with metal, while many were fitted with more powerful 335kW P&W R985A61 radials.

There are hundreds of Stearmans which were currently flown in private hands, although its not used for crop spraying any more.