Model 75 (Stearman Kaydet)
Stearman Aircraft / Boeing · Biplane trainer · Interwar (1919–1938)
The Boeing-Stearman Model 75 Kaydet (also called PT-13/17/18/27 in military service) was an American two-seat biplane primary trainer — the principal U.S. Army Air Forces + U.S. Navy + Royal Canadian Air Force primary trainer of WWII + one of the most-numerous American trainers in history. Lloyd Stearman designed the Model 75 in 1933-1934 at Stearman Aircraft Company (acquired by Boeing 1939); the prototype first flew in late 1934. About 10,626 Stearman Model 75s were built between 1934 and 1945 at Boeing-Stearman Wichita. The aircraft served U.S. Army Air Forces + U.S. Navy + RCAF + ~10 export operators in primary-trainer roles 1936-1948.
The PT-17 (most-numerous variant) used a Continental R-670-5 7-cylinder radial engine (220 hp). Maximum speed 200 km/h, range 815 km, service ceiling 3,400 m. Crew: 2 (instructor + student in tandem open cockpits). The aircraft was specifically designed for primary flight training — forgiving handling, simple controls, rugged construction. Approximately 60-70% of WWII USAAF + USN + RCAF pilots received their initial flight training in Stearman Model 75s.
Stearman service was foundational to American WWII pilot training. ~10,000 Stearmans trained tens of thousands of Allied pilots 1939-1945. Postwar surplus Stearmans (~5,000 airframes) became civilian aerobatic + agricultural aircraft + barnstormers 1946-2026. About 1,000 Stearman Model 75s remain airworthy in 2026 worldwide — making it one of the most-numerous airworthy WWII-era aircraft.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Boeing-Stearman Model 75 Kaydet was an American biplane that taught most American pilots to fly in World War II. Lloyd Stearman first designed it in 1933. About 10,626 Stearmans were built between 1934 and 1945. Boeing took over the Stearman company in 1939.
The Stearman has one Continental R-670 radial engine, making 220 horsepower. Top speed is 124 mph, faster than most cars on a highway. The plane is 25 feet long with a 32-foot wingspan, smaller than a school bus. Two people sit in open cockpits, one behind the other: a student in front and a teacher in back.
About 60 to 70 percent of WWII American Army, Navy, and Canadian pilots learned to fly in Stearmans. After the war, surplus Stearmans became crop-dusters, airshow planes, and barnstormers giving rides at fairs. The plane is famous for forgiving flight, simple controls, and tough construction.
About 1,000 Stearmans still fly today, one of the most-numerous flying WWII-era planes. They appear at airshows and air races around the world. Many are painted in bright colors with checkerboards and stripes from their barnstorming days.
Fun Facts
- About 10,626 Stearmans were built between 1934 and 1945.
- The Stearman is 25 feet long, smaller than a school bus.
- Top speed is 124 mph, faster than most cars on a highway.
- 60 to 70 percent of WWII American pilots learned to fly in Stearmans.
- About 1,000 Stearmans still fly today, mostly at airshows.
- Two people sit in open cockpits, one behind the other.
- Many Stearmans became crop-dusters or airshow planes after WWII.
Kids’ Questions
Why an open cockpit?
Open cockpits let the instructor reach the student easily and yell instructions over the engine noise. Goggles and a leather helmet kept the wind out of pilots' eyes. Most 1930s training planes had open cockpits. Closed cockpits became standard later, but the Stearman kept the open design.
What is barnstorming?
Barnstormers were pilots who flew old planes from town to town in the 1920s and 1930s, giving rides at fairs and county shows. They did stunts like wing-walking and loops to attract crowds. After WWII, surplus Stearmans were cheap and tough, perfect for barnstorming. The tradition lives on today at airshows.
Why bright colors?
Bright colors made Stearmans stand out at airshows and helped instructors spot each student plane in a busy training pattern. The classic colors are blue body, yellow wings, and red trim. Stearmans come in many color schemes today, and many owners paint them in old military colors.
Variants
- PT-13/17/18/27 (military variants)
- USAAF + USN + RCAF military trainer variants. ~10,000 built.
- Civilian Model 75
- Postwar civilian aerobatic + agricultural conversions. ~5,000 surplus airframes.
Notable Operators
- U.S. Army Air Forces + U.S. Navy + RCAF (1939-1948)
- Principal users. Tens of thousands of WWII pilots trained.
- Civilian / agricultural / aerobatic (1946-2026)
- ~1,000 airworthy in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pilots learned to fly in Stearmans?
Tens of thousands. Approximately 60-70% of WWII USAAF + USN + RCAF pilots received initial flight training in Stearman Model 75s. The aircraft was the American equivalent of the de Havilland Tiger Moth in British/Commonwealth training — both trained the majority of Allied WWII pilots' first hours.
Are Stearmans still flying?
Yes — about 1,000 airworthy worldwide in 2026. The Stearman is a fixture of vintage aircraft displays + airshows + agricultural operations + barnstorming + warbird collections. The type's robust construction + simple maintenance + widespread parts availability make it one of the most-popular vintage aircraft to own + fly.
Sources
See Also
- de Havilland Tiger Moth — British Commonwealth WWII primary-trainer counterpart
- Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitz — German WWII primary-trainer counterpart