Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>Stearman PT-17>HA8101

General Background

The Stearman Aircraft Company produced a bi-plane trainer-aircraft called the Model 70. In 1935 the USN ordered the Model 70 with a Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine designated the NS-1. Boeing Aircraft Company bought Stearman and gave the Model 70 a Lycoming R-680-5 radial engine making it a Model 75. In 1936 the U.S. Army Air Corps placed an order for the Model 75 and designated it PT-13. With a Continental R-670-5 engine it became the PT-17. The RCAF labeled it PT-27 Kaydet with Kaydet becoming the universally accepted name.

The Aircraft

The PT-17 Kaydet Stearman was easy to fly, fairly rugged and a good primary teaching aircraft for new pilots. It gained the nickname “Yellow Peril” and after WWII many Kaydets were used for recreational and agricultural purposes. The aircraft on display at the American Air Museum, Duxford, UK painted as 42-17786/25 is in fact mainly 41-8169 c/n 75-1728 ex CF-EQS with some parts from G-BRTK c/n 75-5949 formerly N16716 and 42-17786 BuAer 38728. At one time PT-17 41-8169 belonged to Evergreen Aviation Services.

Specifications :

Crew:	2 x Student Pilot and Instructor
PT-17 Produced:	3,500 +
Number of all variants produced:	10,000 +
Performance	1 x Continental R-670-5 7 cylinder radial engine producing 220 hp
Maximum Speed:	124 mph
Climb Rate:	840 ft/min
Service Ceiling:	11,200 ft
Range:	505 miles
Dimensions
Length:	24 ft 3 in
Wingspan:	32 ft 2 in
Height:	9 ft 2 in
Weights:
Empty:	1,936 lbs
Maxium Takeoff:	2,717 lbs