Boeing PT-17 Stearman

The Stearman PT-17, nicknamed "Kaydet", was the most widely used primary trainer of the Allied air forces in World War II. Not only did this two-place biplane serve as a flying classroom for countless Allied pilots, but it also closed a chapter in American aviation by being the last military production biplane built in the United States. Lloyd C. Stearman, founder of the Stearman Aircraft Co., in Venice, California, Jack Clark and Harold Zipp designed the Stearman model 75 “Kaydet” in 1926 (The prototype of the Kaydet, model 70 was designed in 1933 from the model 6 Cloudboy which Lloyd Stearman designed). The Stearman Company was moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1927 and subsequently became part of the larger Boeing Aircraft Company in 1938. The first model 75, the X75 prototype, was test flown in September 1934. By February 1945, the Stearman Aircraft Company had built over eight thousand Kaydet airplanes in Wichita for the U.S. Army Air Corps (PT-17) and U.S. Navy (N2S) to use as primary military trainers. During this 11-year span, more American military pilots learned to fly in Stearmans than any other airplane. Changes in power plants brought about different numerical designations. The PT-17 was fitted with a Continental R-670 engine, whereas the PT-13 had a Lycoming R-680 engine and the PT-18 carried a Jacobs R-755 engine. A later version which featured a cockpit canopy was designated the PT-27. Total production of the Kaydet series reached 10,346 aircraft for the U. S. and its Allies. Following World War II, the Kaydet was phased out in favor of more modern trainers.

The most widely used primary trainer of the Allied armed forces in World War II was the Stearman PT-17, nicknamed "Kaydet." During World War II, Warner Robins Air Service Command (WRASC) was responsible for supply and depot maintenance of all U. S. Army aircraft in its assigned geographical area. This initially included Georgia, South Carolina, most of Florida and finally, North Carolina and Virginia. Flight training was extensive and the WRASC area contained more than 6,500 aircraft of all types, including the Kaydet.

Not only did this two-place biplane serve as a flying classroom for countless Allied pilots, but it also closed a chapter in American aviation. The Kaydet was the last production military biplane built in the United States.

The Stearman model 75 "Kaydet" can trace its design and heritage back to Lloyd C. Stearman, founder of the Stearman Aircraft Co., at Venice, California, in 1926. The Stearman Company was moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1927 and subsequently became part of the larger Boeing Aircraft company.

The first model 75, the X75 prototype, was test flown in September 1934. By February 1945, the Stearman Aircraft Co.., had built over eight thousand Kaydet airplanes in Wichita for the U.S. Army Air Corps (PT-17) and U.S. Navy (N2S) to use as primary military trainers. During this 11-year span, more American military pilots learned to fly in the Stearman model 75 primary trainer than any other airplane.

Changes in power plants brought about different numerical designations. The PT-17 was fitted with a Continental engine, whereas the PT-13 had a Lycoming engine and the PT-18 carried a Jacobs engine. A later version which featured a cockpit canopy was designated the PT-27. Total production of Kaydets reached 10,346 aircraft for the U. S. and its Allies. Following World War II, the Kaydet was phased out in favor of more modern trainers.

Under the U.S. Government's lend-lease program, the model 75's were also built and loaned for pilot training to the countries of Brazil, Venezuela, Philippines, Peru, Cuba, Bolivia, Paraguay, Columbia, China, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Canada.