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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, after the war over 2000 airframes were
converted for agricultural spraying. |
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On 6 August 1988, the 1942-built Boeing-Stearman E75/N2 S5 s/n 75-5238 F-AZDI was seen at La Ferté Alais aerodrome near Paris in France.
The F-AZDI was painted in the '61216/U S.NAVY 238'colors and is powered by a 225 hp 9 Cylinder Lycoming R-680-17 series radial engine.
The Stearman s/n 75-5238 was a standardised model in the s/n 755009/756026 series. This batch was produced either for the USAAF
as PT-13D or the Navy as N2S-5 Kaydet. The aircraft had dual PT-13D/N2S-5 designations and both USAAF serials 42-16486/17863
and USN BuNos 60887/61904. So the Boeing-Stearman N2S-5/PT-13D s/n 75-5615 was allotted both USN BuNo 61119 and USAAF 42-17075 serials.
The Kaydet was taken on strength with the U.S Navy as 61119. It's not known when and where this Boeing-Stearman E75/N2 S5 Kaydet
served with the U.S. Navy. After being withdrawn from military service, the aircraft was registered N5817N with Collard Francois, Ottsville,
Pensylvania, on 10 February 1981. However registered in the USA, the N5817N served in Europe and was stored for some time at Rotterdam
Airport. On 6 September 1983, registration N5817N was cancelled as exported to France. On 26 October 1984, the bi-plane was registered
F-AZDI with Amicale JEAN Baptiste SALIS at La Ferté Alais aerodrome near Paris. Around 1987, the F-AZDI was repainted in the present U.S.NAVY
238 colors. On 17 January 1996, the F-AZDI was registered with Michel Durruty. On 22 October 2002, the Boeing-Stearman E75/N2 S5 F-AZDI was
registered to T. Paris and B. Paris-De Reynal de Saint Michel, Montlucon. Since, the F-AZDI is based at l'aerodrome Montlucon-Gueret. |
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