|
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. |
|
The Stearman s/n 75-5844 was a dual standardised model in the s/n 75-5009/75-6026 series. This batch was planned either for the
U.S.A.A.F.as PT-13D or the Navy as N2S-5 Kaydet. Boeing-Stearman N2S-5/PT-13D s/n 75-5844 was allotted both USN BuNo 61722 and USAAF 42-17681
serials. In 1942, the Kaydet was taken on strength with the USAAF as 42-17681 and the BuNo was cancelled. The aircraft was painted with an
Army Technical Data Block with USAAF serial and designation and entered service in the 2566th Base Unit (Contract Pilot School, Primary), Garner Field,
Texas; operated by Hangar Six. Through reports of a number of minor landing incidents with the training aircraft, more is known about the Units where
Kaydet 42-17681 served. In 1945, PT-13D 42-17681 served with 2533rd Base Unit (Pilot School, Primary-Basic), Goodfellow Field, San Angelo, Texas. In
1947, the aircraft served with 2532nd Base Unit (Pilot School, Specialized, Very Heavy), Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas. On 28 March 1947, the
Stearman was damaged in a landing at Randolph Auxiliary Field #2, Texas. In 1953, after being withdrawn from use with the United States Army Air Forces,
the aircraft was registered N1723B with Central Aircraft, Yakima, WA. The Stearman was operated as a agricultural sprayer/tanker with fleet #18 for the
Canadian Forest Protection Limited spruce budworm spray program. CISCO Aircraft, Lancaster, CA, was the next owner of the agricultural sprayer. In 1964,
the N1723B was registered to Buck Hennigan, Long Beach, CA, and from 1971 to after 1979 to R. N. Graves, Tallulah, LA, as before registered as N1723B.
The condition of the aircraft after that period is not known, only that it was restored in Aubum, Alabama. In 1986, the N1723B was registered with
Chris Rounds. On 9 September 1988, registration N1723B was cancelled as exported to Sweden and registered SE-KFT with Kanard AB, Linköping, on 14
September 1988. In Sweden, Kaydet SE-KFT was named "Louisiana Lady". In 1993, the SE-KFT was registered with A B & B S Pettersson, Arboga,
and on 8 February 1996 with R. Karlsson, Boras. On 13 June 1999, the aircraft was substantially damaged when the airplane nosed over landing on a wet runway
at Viared Airport, Boras. In 2003, ownership of Boeing E-75 SE-KFT changed to P Hakansson, Mariefred. On 5 May 2010, registration SE-KFT was cancelled
as exported to Germany and registered D-EMDV. Today, the 1941-built Boeing E-75 D-EMDV is based at Braunsweig.
On 22 May
2022, Boeing-Stearman E75 Kaydet D-EMDV visited the Fly-in at Flugplatz Diepholz-Dümmerland (ETND). |
