The 1929 Stearman LT-1 (ATC 187) design carried from Speedmail series with 4p cabin forward, open cockpit, and a cargo bay well aft. Priced at $25,000, three were built, NC8829, NC8832 and NC8833. The first was destroyed in a windstorm after its test flight.
Built as a “Light Transport” for airmail and passenger service until 1934, one was reportedly sold to China.
Engine: Pratt & Whitney Hornet, 525hp Length: 32 ft 6 in Height: 12 ft 6 in Wing span upper: 49 ft Wingspan lower: 34 ft 6 in Chord Upper: 88 in Chord lower: 57 in Wing area: 490 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 398 Empty wt: 3890 lb Max weight: 6250 lb Useful load: 2360 lb Payload: 1190 lb Fuel capacity: 145 USG Oil cap: 15 USG Ceiling: 13,000 ft Range: 690 sm Max speed: 138 mph Cruise: 115 mph Stall: 58 mph Price: US$25,000 Seats: 5
The 1929 M2 evolved from the C3B model. Seven mail carriers were built (ATC 127), including one three-place with a 525hp P&W Hornet and larger fuel tanks under (2-149).
Stearman M2 NC9055
Stearman M2 NC9054
Engine: Wright R-1750 Cyclone, 525hp Length: 30 ft 2 in Height: 11 ft 1 in Wing span upper: 46 ft Wingspan lower: 32 ft Chord Upper: 84 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 436 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 398 Empty wt: 3442 lb Max weight: 5578 lb Useful load: 2136 lb Payload: 1026 lb Fuel capacity: 136 USG Oil cap: 15 USG Ceiling: 16,000 ft Range: 730 sm Max speed: 147 mph Cruise: 126 mph Stall: 53 mpg Price: US$18,000
Five of the 1929 4-C or C-4 Junior Speedmail (2-155) were built, NS2=NS12=NC13905, NC665K, NC667K, NC8839 and NC772H. Priced at $12,500, they were powered by a 300hp Wright J-6 engine.
Stearman 4-C NC666K mod from 4-E
Four were re-powered with the 330hp J-6 as C-4A under ATC 304, and one was converted to 4-CM, NC772H.
Stearman C-4A
The 1930 4-CM and -CM-1 Senior Speedmail were single-place mail version of the 4-C with 300hp Wright J-6 engines, under ATC (2-177). Three were built, NC770H, CF-CCG, CF-CCH plus one 4-C converted under (2-177), NC772H. The CM-1 had radio and night-flying equipment; twelve were built.
Stearman 4-CM NC772H
The Stearman 4E was introduced in 1930 as a mail plane. This aircraft was known as the Bull Stearman and was still in ag use until the late 1960s.
Powered by a 300 horsepower Wright R 975 engine, the Stearman 4DM Senior Speedmail was designed to haul mail and cargo. The 38 foot wingspan DM was larger than the standard Stearman, and was the last mail carrying Stearman built. Only two examples were made.
Stearman 4CM-1 NC489W s/n 4037
Six to eight of the Model 4-D Junior Speedmail (ATC 305) of 1930 were built.
Stearman 4-DM-1 NC478W
The 1931 Models 4-DM and 4-DM-1 Senior Speedmail (ATC 326) were single-place mail version of the 4-D with 300hp P&W Wasp Jr engines. Two were converted from 4-CM (NC487W) and 4-D (NC774H). The DM-1 had radio and night-flying equipment. A restored model in El Cajon CA was registered as NC485W.
One Model 4-D (NC792H) was converted to a two-place 4-DX Junior Speedmail (ATC 2-406) in 1932 with 400hp P&W Wasp S1A and sliding cockpit canopy.
Stearman 4-DX NC792H
The 1930 4-E Junior Speedmail was under ATC 292. Ten were built, with two as three-place model 4-E Special under ATC 2-278.
Stearman 4-E NC663K
The single-place 4-EM and 4-EM-1 Senior Speedmail of 1930 were a mail version of the 4-E with 450hp P&W Wasp under ATC 322. Five were built, priced at $16,000. The EM-1 had radio and night-flying equipment.
Stearman 4-E Crop duster N791H
The single Stearman 4-EX built was for the Standard Oil Co (Stanavo). Built in 1930 under ATC 2-279, the two-place Senior Speedmail NC783H had deluxe appointments, cowling and wheel pants, and a distinctive red-white-and-blue paint job. It was powered with a 450hp P&W Wasp SC engine.
Stearman 4-EX NC738H
The 1930 4-RM Special NX484W four-place cabin model was repowered with 450hp Ranger GV-770 engine.
Stearman 4-RM Special NX484W
4C Engine: Wright J6-9, 300hp Length: 26 ft 11 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Empty weight: 2256 lb Max weight: 3800 lb Useful load: 1544 lb Payload: 663 lb Fuel capacity: 106 USG Oil cap: 10 USG Ceiling: 15,000 ft Range: 720 sm Max speed: 145 mph Price: US$12,500
4CM Engine: Wright J6-9, 300hp Length: 26 ft 11 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Empty weight: 2285 lb Max weight: 3936 lb Useful load: 1651 lb Payload: 770 lb Fuel capacity: 106 USG Oil cap: 10 USG Ceiling: 14,800 ft Range: 750 sm Max speed: 147 mph Price: US$12,500
4CM-1 Engine: Wright J6-9, 300hp Length: 26 ft 11 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Empty weight: 2540 lb Max weight: 4067 lb Useful load: 1527 lb Payload: 770 lb Fuel capacity: 84 USG Oil cap: 8 USG Ceiling: 14,500 ft Range: 600 sm Max speed: 147 mph Price: US$15,000
4D Engine: Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jnr, 300hp Length: 26 ft 11 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Empty weight: 2297 lb Max weight: 3800 lb Useful load: 1503 lb Payload: 622 lb Fuel capacity: 106 USG Oil cap: 10 USG Ceiling: 15,000 ft Range: 720 sm Max speed: 145 mph Price: US$12,500
4DX Engine: Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jnr S1A, 400hp Length: 26 ft 11 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Empty weight: 2297 lb Max weight: 3800 lb Useful load: 1503 lb Payload: 622 lb Fuel capacity: 106 USG Oil cap: 10 USG Ceiling: 15,000 ft Range: 720 sm Max speed: 145 mph Price: US$12,500
4DM Engine: Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jnr, 300hp Length: 26 ft 11 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Empty weight: 2326 lb Max weight: 3936 lb Useful load: 1610 lb Payload: 729 lb Fuel capacity: 106 USG Oil cap: 10 USG Ceiling: 14,800 ft Range: 750 sm Max speed: 147 mph Price: US$15,000
4DM-1 Engine: Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jnr, 300hp Length: 26 ft 11 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Empty weight: 2326 lb Max weight: 3936 lb Useful load: 1610 lb Payload: 729 lb Fuel capacity: 106 USG Oil cap: 10 USG Ceiling: 14,800 ft Range: 750 sm Max speed: 147 mph Price: US$15,000
4E Engine: Pratt & Whitney Wasp C1, 420hp or Wasp SC-1, 450 hp Length: 26 ft 4 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Empty weight: 2426 lb Max weight: 3936 lb Useful load: 1510 lb Payload: 629 lb Fuel capacity: 106 USG Oil cap: 10 USG Ceiling: 18,000 ft Range: 580 sm Max speed: 158 mph Price: US$16,000
4EM / 4EM-1 Senior Speedmail Engine: Pratt & Whitney Wasp, 420-450hp Length: 26 ft 4 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Empty weight: 2455 lb Max weight: 3936 lb Useful load: 1481 lb Payload: 600 lb Fuel capacity: 106 USG Oil cap: 10 USG Ceiling: 18,000 ft Range: 600 sm Max speed: 160 mph Cruise: 134 mph Stall: 55 mph Seats: 1 Price: US$16,000
4EX Special Engine: Pratt & Whitney Wasp SC-1, 450hp Length: 26 ft 4 in Height: 10 ft 2 in Wing span upper: 38 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 51 in Wing area: 307 sq.ft. Airfoil: Goettingen 436 Max weight: 3936 lb Fuel capacity: 106 USG Oil cap: 10 USG Ceiling: 18,000 ft Range: 580 sm Max speed: 158 mph Seats: 3
The 1928 Stearman C-3A was designed by Lloyd Stearman and Mac Short, essentially the same design as C2 except for the addition of a baggage compartment and various motors. The first Wichita Stearman, two C-3A models were built.
One hundred and thirty-six C-3B (ATC 55) were built from 1927 to 1929. ATC 2-124 was for EDO float conversions. They were priced at $8,970. One was built as C-3B Special under ATC 2-159 as a prototype mail carrier for the C-3MB model.
Stearman C-3B NX6257
The 1928 C-3C (ATC 62) built with a 150hp Hisso A engine. Two or three were built with possibly one, NC3440, converted to a C-3D model with a 180hp Hisso E engine and increased performance.
Stearman C-3C or D NC3440
One model C-3F was built, in 1928.
The sole C-3H built, in 1928, was powered by a 240hp Menasco engine.
Three model C-3K (ATC 2-70) was built in 1928 with a 125hp Siemens-Halske SH-12 engine. They were conversions of NC4713 and N7775, and one conversion from C-3B NC4098 under ATC 2-70.
One C-3L (ATC 2-58) model built in 1929, NX/NC6438, was powered by a 130hp Comet engine. It was later modified to C3C and C3B standard.
Eight of the C-3MB (ATC 137) single-place mail plane version of the C-3B were built from 1929; NC6487, NC6490, NC6496, and NC9057-9061, plus five modifications of C-3B with similar data; NC4552, NC6436, NC6486, NC7171, and NC8836, and five converted from C-2B; NC1598, NC3863, NC4011, NC4273, and NC5500.
One C-3 model was built under ATC 2-159 as the C-3B Special.
Stearman C-3MB American Airlines blind-flying trainer
Stearman C-3P NC567Y
The last C-3 manufactured was the 1933 C-3P (ATC 2-445) NR/NC567Y, powered with a 220hp Wright J-5 engine.
Stearman C3R NC656K
The 1929 three-place C3R Business Speedster was certified under ATC 251. The prototype was the last of the C3Bs, NC8828. Priced at $8,500, thirty-eight were built; NC566Y, NR567Y, NC656K-C662K, NC668K-673K, NC675K, NC773H, NC775H, NC780H-782H, NC789H-790H, NC793H-94H, NC799H, NC8822, NC8828, and NC8840. One was converted to C3P NR567Y and ten went to the Peruvian AF.
Stearman C3R NC794H
The Stearman biplane aircraft were well known in agri¬cultural aviation, with the C3BR of the ‘20s being fitted with a 450-hp Pratt & Whitney Wasps or Wright Cyclones.
C-3B Sport Commercial Engine: Wright J5, 220hp Length: 24 ft Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Empty weight: 1625 lb Max weight: 2650 lb Useful load: 1025 lb Payload: 445 lb Fuel capacity: 68 USG Oil cap: 8 USG Ceiling: 18,000 ft Range: 620 sm Max speed: 126 mph Price: US$8,970
C-3C Engine: Wright/Martin Hispano-Suiza A, 150 hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Empty weight: 1790 lb Max weight: 2750 lb Useful load: 960 lb Payload: 380 lb Fuel capacity: 68 USG Oil cap: 5 USG Ceiling: 15,000 ft Range: 550 sm Max speed: 121 mph
C-3D Engine: Wright/Martin Hispano-Suiza E2, 190 hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman
C-3E Engine: Wright/Martin Hispano-Suiza E2, 190 hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Fuel capacity: 38 USG
C-3F Engine: Wright/Martin Hispano-Suiza E3, 190 hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Fuel capacity: 38 USG
C-3G Engine: Wright/Martin Hispano-Suiza E4, 190 hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Fuel capacity: 39 USG
C-3H Engine: Menasco-Salmson, aircooled, 260 hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman
C-3I Engine: Curtiss C6, 160 hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Fuel capacity: 38 USG
C-3K Engine: Siemens-Halske SH-12, 128 hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Max weight: 2400 lb Fuel capacity: 38 USG
C-3L Engine: Comet, 130 hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Max weight: 2525 lb Fuel capacity: 38 USG
C-3MB Engine: Wright J5, 220hp Length: 24 ft Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 296 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman 2 Empty weight: 1895 lb Max weight: 2830 lb Useful load: 935 lb Payload: 330 lb Fuel capacity: 68 USG Oil cap: 7 USG Ceiling: 17,500 ft Range: 560 sm Max speed: 130 mph Price: US$8,730
C-3P Engine: Wright J5 Whirlwind, 220hp Length: 24 ft 6 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Max weight: 2830 lb Fuel capacity: 38 USG
C-3R Business Speedster Engine: Wright J6-7, 225hp Length: 24 ft 11 in Height: 9 ft Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 294 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman 2 or Stearman 6 Empty weight: 1741 lb Max weight: 2754 lb Useful load: 1013 lb Payload: 403 lb Fuel capacity: 65 USG Oil cap: 7 USG Ceiling: 17,500 ft Range: 550 sm Max speed: 130 mph Price: US$8,500
The 1927 three-place open cockpit Stearman C-2 was similar to the C1 except for radiator mounted underneath, hydraulic shock absorbers and dual controls.
Four were built; N1682 c/n 102; N3440 c/n 104 with Wright-Hisso A, N3922 with a Wright Whirlwind, and Salmson engines N4100. N3440 became a C3C.
About fifteen 1927 C-2B were built with 200hp Wright J-4 engines. Five were modified into C3MB; NC1598, NC3863, NC4011, NC4273, and NC5500.
Stearman C2B Probably “militarized” for a movie
The C-2C was built in 1928.
One C-2H was built, in 1929, registered NC5600, powered by a 260hp Menasco-Salmson B-2 engine, and certified under ATC 137.
Two C2K were built, in 1929 (ATC 2-53), powered by 125hp Ryan-Siemens SH-12engines. Priced at $6,470, they were later converted to C3K; N4098 and NC4713.
The C2MB Mail of 1928 were single-place C-2 mail plane conversions with 220hp Wright J-5 engines. They were priced at $8,730.
C-2 Engine: Curtiss OX-5, 90hp Length: 23 ft 2 in Height: 9 ft 2.5 in Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Fuel capacity: 38 USG Oil cap: 4.4 USG Max speed: 110 mph Cruise: 90 mph Stall: 41 mp h Seats: 3
C-2A Engine: Curtiss OX-5, 90hp Length: 23 ft 2 in Height: 9 ft 2.5 in Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Fuel capacity: 38 USG Oil cap: 4.4 USG
C-2B Engine: Wright J5 Whirlwind, 220hp Length: 23 ft 2 in Height: 9 ft 2.5 in Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Max weight: 2450 lb Payload: 500 lb Fuel capacity: 68 USG Oil cap: 8 USG Ceiling: 18,000 ft Max speed: 130 mph Seats: 3
C-2C Engine: Wright / Martin Hispano-Suiza A, 150 hp or Wright / Martin Hispano-Suiza E, 180 hp Length: 23 ft 2 in Height: 9 ft 2.5 in Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Chord Upper: 66 in Chord lower: 54 in Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Fuel capacity: 38 USG
C-2H Engine: Menasco-Salmson B-2, 280 hp Length: 23 ft 2 in Height: 9 ft 2.5 in Fuel capacity: 38 USG Airfoil: William Waterhouse Speed wing Max speed: 155 mph Seats: 3
C-2K Engine: Ryan-Siemens-Halske SH-12, 128 hp Length: 23 ft 2 in Height: 9 ft 2.5 in Wing span upper: 35 ft Wingspan lower: 28 ft Wing area: 297 sq.ft. Airfoil: Stearman Max weight: 2400 lb Fuel capacity: 68 USG Useful load: 835 lb Max speed: 110 mph Cruise: 90 mph Stall: 38 mph Seats: 3
C2MB Mail Engine: 220hp Wright J-5 Useful load: 972 lb Max speed: 130 mph Cruise: 110 mph Stall: 41 mph Range: 620 mi Seats: 1
Stearman Aircraft Company Stearman Aircraft Division of the Boeing Aircraft Company
The Travel Air Manufacturing Company was in es¬sence Walter Beech, Lloyd Stearman and Clyde Cessna, all backed by Walter P. Innes. In 1926, Stearman quit to go it alone. Originally Stearman Aircraft Company, formed at Venice, California, by Lloyd Stearman in 1927. Stearman was already known in connection with Laird, Swallow, and Travel Air; the new company was formed by consolidating Lyle-Hoyt Aircraft Corporation (formerly West Coast distributor of Travel Air) and technical ability of Stearman.
Factory soon moved to Wichita, Kansas, building private and commercial aircraft and becoming part of United Aircraft and Transport Corporation. Types built included three-seaters, trainers and mailplanes.
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 as the Wichita Division of Boeing.
Nevertheless, biplane trainers built throughout Second World War were persistently called Stearman. Basic type was Model 75, dating from 1936 and having numerous service designations; production totaled about 10,000. Name Kaydet (originally Canadian) not favored in U.S.A., where Army models had PT and Navy models NS designations. Some versions had enclosed cockpits. After Second World War some 4,000 of Model 75 converted for cropdusting.
1929: Absorbed Hamilton Metalplane Co.
1931: L C Stearman resigned to join Lockheed Corp, Burbank CA.
1931: Northrop Aircraft, Burbank, and Stearman Aircraft Corp, Wichita.
1936: Stearman-(Dean B) Hammond, Oakland CA.
1941: Stearman Aircraft Div, Boeing Airplane Co, Wichita.
July 1968: Reformed as Stearman Aircraft Corp, Washington DC.
In 1934 Rudolph & Anna Stepanich built the single-place, open cockpit, mid-wing monoplane, powered with a 40hp Salmson AD-9 engine, and registered NX14378.
The Stedman TS-1 City of Leeds was a two-seat tandem sailplane designed and built by R.F. Stedman in Leeds, UK, in 1932. It was first flown on 21 July 1934 at Baildon, UK. It became BGA.213 and survived the war. . Wingspan: 50 ft Wing chord: 6 ft Wing area: 295 sq.ft Weight: 424 lb Wing loading: 2-2.48 lb/sq.ft Seats: 2
All Aero 