Air Power Series>1:48 die-cast display model>Stearman PT-17>HA8107

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

WWII USN training aircraft such as the Stearman didn't have radios so when weather conditions began to deteriorate or an emergency situation existed a brightly colored aircraft would be sent to the various training areas. When the pilots saw these unique paint schemes it meant one thing; return to base ASAP. These specially marked aircraft were referred to as "Recall" aircraft or in some cases "Recovery" aircraft.

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