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The Boeing-Stearman Model 75 "Kaydet" two-seat biplane is a primary trainer. The Stearman Model 75
was evolved from the Stearman Model 6 or YPT-9 Cloudboy as a private venture by the Stearman Aircraft Company
of Wichita. Model 73, the prototype of the Kaydet flew first on 26 November 1934. The Kaydet became a success: it was
ordered by the U.S.Navy and the U.S.Army for use as a trainer. The Navy named the Boeing 75 the NS-1, later
evolved into the N2S series. The Army aircraft was the PT-13, later evolved into the PT-17 and PT-18. The
Kaydet variants were sold for military and civilian users outside the USA to countries like Canada and China.
Boeing built 8584 Model 75 in all versions, plus the equivalent of 2000 more in spares. Lloyd C. Stearman founded
the Stearman Aircraft Company in 1926. In 1929 Lloyd Stearman sold his company to the 'United Aircraft and
Transport Corporation'. In September 1934 the group was split up and Boeing Air Transport, pulled out of this group
and took the Stearman Aircraft Company with it as wholly owned subsidiary. The Boeing-Stearman Model 75 and its
variants were manufactured by the Stearman Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas from 1934 through 1945. In 1938
the Stearman Aircraft Company became the Stearman Aircraft Division of the Boeing Aircraft Company. Generally,
all the Stearman Kaydet airframes built are the same with the only major difference being the engine installed.
Due to the Kaydet's solid construction and reliable low speed handling, over 2000 airframes were converted for
agricultural spraying after the war.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Boeing-Stearman A75N-1 Kaydet is ST75. |
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The 1940-built Boeing-Stearman A75N-1 s/n 75-971 N62TS is registered in the US with Carnerie Patrick B, Almeda,
California, and is operated by Museo Aero Fénix in Portugal. The Kaydet
is painted in '971 Navy' colours and is powered by a 600 hp 9 cylinder
Pratt & Whitney R1340 AN1 air-cooled radial engine. Stearman c/n 75-971 was built by Boeing in Wichita, Texas, in June
1940 and entered service with the US Navy as a N2S-1 Kaydet. This
Stearman A75N-1 is a standardised model in the c/n 75-922/1171 series. This batch was produced for the Navy as N2S-1
Kaydet. The aircraft had USN BuNos 3145 - 3394. So the Boeing-Stearman
N2S-1 c/n 75-971 was allotted USN BuNo 3294. On 21 April 1945, after being withdrawn from
military service, the aircraft was sold, converted for agricultural
spraying and temporarely registered NC50085 and registered N50085.
Several owners, like Crowmac Aero Dusters Inc. and Mid Valley Dusters Inc. operated the Stearman as a cropsprayer. On 16 April 1988,
in service with Aerial Advertising Inc., Andover, Massachusetts, the aircraft was re-registered N772WM. On 24 December 1992, in service with My Toy Company,
Zanesville, Ohio, the current registration N62TS was alloted. In 2000, Boeing A75N1 N62TS entered service with SkyArt in Portugal. In 2002, the aircraft was
withdrawn from use and stored at Santarém. In July 2005, Stearman N62TS was acquired by the Association Museological Aero Fénix and restored to flying condition.
The first flight after the restauration was on 28 April 2006. Since the Boeing was noted on several airshows. On 28 May 2006, during a demonstration flight at the
aerodrome of Seia, Boeing A75N-1 N62TS suffered slight damage when a precautionary landing ended with the right wing and engine on the ground and the tail in the
air.
On 12 September 2010, during Aeronostalgia 2010, Boeing A75N-1 N62TS was seen at Base Aérea nº1 Sintra (LPST) in Portuga. |
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