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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 PT-13D is ST75 |
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Being-Stearman s/n 75-5657 was a standardised model in the s/n 75-4704/75-6026 series built by Boeing. This batch was planned either for the
U.S.A.A.F. as PT-13D or the Navy as N2S-5 Kaydet. The aircraft were painted with an Army Technical Data Block with USAAF serial and designation;
aircraft delivered to the US Navy had the designation N2S-5 and the BuNo painted on the vertical tail as well. For the airframe s/n 75-5657
BuNo 61535 was reserved but the airframe was delivered to the U.S.A.A.F. as 42-17494. Further details and the history in military service about
this 1942-built airframe are not known yet. On 8 October 1952, the first steps in it's civil life were recorded, when a Certificate of airworthiness
was issued as NR68831 for the Boeing-Stearman PT-13D s/n 75-5657. The 'R' stood for Restricted, a designation that is no longer used by the US
authorities in aircraft registration and was omitted as of 10 February 1989. At that time, the Boeing-Stearman PT-13D was registered with Merlin
Aire Ltd, King City, CA. After the aircarft was withdrawn from use, registration N68831 was cancelled on 22 December 2014. The airframe was
exported to Europe, where the aircraft was restored to airworthiness. The restauration was carried out at Meidl Airport (LHFM) in Hungary. At
this airfield the Austrian sister companies Rare Bird Aviation and 3G Classic Aviation have established their main workshops and flight operation.
3G Classic Aviation is specialized in the restoration of Boeing Stearman airplanes, rebuilding these biplanes to new condition. These companies
have restored fourteen Boeing Stearmans in recent years, including PT-13D N68831. On 8 May 2021, Boeing-Stearman PT-13D N68831 was restored to
the register by 3G Classic Aviation, and on 20 October 2022, the Certificate of airworthiness for the N49943 was issued. The aircraft is powered
by a 300 hp 9 cylinder Lycoming R680-13 air-cooled radial engine. In 2023, Boeing-Stearman PT-13D N68831 found its new home at Texel Airport (EHTX).
On 24 July 2025, Boeing-Stearman PT-13D N68831 was seen at Hilversum airfield (EHHV). |
