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Aviation Art Prints  Countries US Aircraft Index More Aircraft Initial S to Z  Stearman |
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| Text for the above items : |
Stearman PT17 by Gerald Coulson. The Boeing Stearman PT 17 is a picture painted by Gerald Coulson essentially for the American Market and as a little self-indulgence. The U.S. equivalent to the Tiger Moth, it was typically larger and more powerful, being based around a comparatively large radial engine. Tough and easy to fly the Stearman still exists in large quantities and is used by fun fliers on both sides of the Atlantic, it being an extremely agile aerobatics machine capable of exciting continuous manoeuvres pulled along by its tremendous power. The sound of the Stearman, like the Harvard, is unmistakable with its propeller tips going supersonic at maximum revs. As trainers they were painted in the most attractive colours and against the typical Coulson sky this machine makes a brilliant impact and striking print as U.S. Army trainer 530 buzzes angrily through the sunlit skies probably taking yet another potential World War II ace on his first solo flight. |
Stearman Lesson on the Wing by Stan Stokes. The Stearman trainer which was designated the PT-17 by the USAAF and the N2S by the USN was used for pilot training before and during WW II. More than 10,000 of these aircraft were built, and many are still air worthy today. |
Two Ways to Fly by Stan Stokes. Lloyd Stearman was a Naval Aviator and former architecture student who moved from Wichita, Kansas to Venice, California in 1926 to set up his own aircraft manufacturing company. Stearman did business under the motto, Dedicated to the Discriminating Buyer, and given the test of time we can now certainly say that Stearmans customers got their moneys worth. Stearman moved his business to Kansas in 1927, and partially due to the publicity surrounding Lindberghs transatlantic flight, encountered strong demand for his C-3MB biplanes. These aircraft were utilized by both American and Varney Air Lines to provide mail service. In 1929 Stearmans high end model was the C-3R, which was powered by a 225HP Wright engine, and carried a price tag of $8,000. Stearman sold his company to the large aviation conglomerate, United Aircraft and Transport, in 1929. Shortly thereafter the depression had set in, and its devastating grip on the nation created very difficult business conditions for all companies in the aviation business, especially those manufacturing aircraft. Stearman left the company which bears his name in 1932, and shortly thereafter became President of Lockheed. The classic aircraft which today bears his name was actually designed in 1933 following his departure, and was produced in quantity by Boeing Aircraft which purchased the Stearman Division of United Aircraft in 1934 as a result of a government mandated antitrust settlement. The PT-13, or Kaydet, was selected by the both the Army and the Navy as its primary trainer. (This may have been the first time in history that the two major branches of the service had agreed upon anything.) More than 10,000 Stearmans were produced. Most common was the PT-17 which was powered by 220HP Continental rotary engines. This rugged little machine was ideal for training first time pilots, and its undercarriage was ideally-designed for absorbing the punishment of first time practice landings. The Navy referred to its Stearmans as N2Ss and with an all yellow paint job the Navy version was soon nicknamed the yellow peril. Reportedly the term peril a reference to the piloting skills of the cadets being trained. The Army opted for a paint scheme utilizing a blue fuselage and yellow wings. At the end of WW II thousands of Stearmans were sold at surplus, some for as little as $200. The aircraft, in one of its second incarnations, became Americas primary crop duster. The sturdy airframe being easily adapted to take on more powerful engines and chemical tanks. In another incarnation the Stearman became a much sought after aerobatics performer. A significant number of these aviation classics are still flying, and can be regularly seen at air shows throughout the nation. In his painting appropriately entitled Two Ways to Fly aviation artist Stan Stokes depicts a PT-17 Stearman and a vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle at a dirt field typical of those across the nation where tens of thousands of pilots and aviation enthusiasts have been introduced to the joys of flight. |
Stearman Over Cypress Point by Stan Stokes. Stan depicts a Stearman flying over the famous Cypress Point Golf Course in Pebble Beach, California. This selection is a real pleaser, and appeals to individuals who like both golf and vintage aircraft. The colors in this piece are striking, with the contrast between the colorful Stearman, the cobalt blue Pacific Ocean, and the greens of the golf course and forest are dramatic. |
Stearman he importance of the Stearman PT-13/PT-17 to the US war effort cannot be overemphasized. Approximately 50% of all US military pilots, who fought in WW II received their initial flight training in this sturdy aircraft. A further 10,000 RAF and Fleet Air Arm pilots used the Stearman trainer for primary training, at British Flying Training Schools throughout the United States, between 1941 and 1944. 8,430 Stearmans were built before manufacturing ended in 1944. No other biplane was ever produced in such numbers. Over 1,000 Stearman trainers remain in flying condition today. The RCAF was supplied with 300 PT-17s in the summer of 1942, to expand its fleet of basic trainers. They served with No. 3 Flying Instructors’ School, Arnprior, Ontario and four Elementary Flying Training Schools, in the Prairies. After about four months they were traded n for Fairchild Cornells, because the open cockpit was found unsuitable for winter training. Many Stearmans are still flying today |
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This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts. Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269. Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com
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