Boeing Stearman PT-17 Kaydet

The Boeing Stearman Kaydet, best known in Israel simply as the Stearman, was first flown in 1933 and with over 10,000 built is the most widely manufactured biplane in the world. During World War II it was the primary trainer of the U.S. Army, with many moving into the private sector after the war ended and serving as agricultural aircraft. Today Stearmans are a sought-after vintage aircraft, prized for its superb handling and its open cockpit biplane configuration.

The first Israeli Stearmans were ex-U.S. Army aircraft purchased at a time when the type flooded the market following the end of WWII. Following the War of Independence the Stearman became the IAF's primary trainer, a few dozen serving into the mid 1950s.

Specification: Boeing Stearman PT-17 Kaydet
Type: two seat primary trainer.
Powerplant: one Continental R-670-5 engine.
Performance: max speed - 135mph, ceiling - 3400m, range - 500 miles.
Weights: max takeoff - 1195kg.
Dimensions: span - 9.80m, length - 7.54m.
Armament: none.

Sources: IAF Inventory