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Boeing-Stearman N2S Kaydet "Yellow Peril"
U.S. Navy Primary Trainer
N2S Primary Trainer

Aircraft Type

U.S. Navy Primary Trainer, biplane

Manufacturer

Boeing Aircraft Co., Stearman Division

Engine

Radial 7-cylinder, air-cooled, 670 cid

Horsepower

225 hp @ 2,175 rpm

Weight

1,936 lbs (empty), 2,717 lbs (gross)

Max Speed

124 mph

Configuration

2 seat tandem (student-instructor)

 

The Stearman (Boeing) Model 75 is a biplane that was used as a military trainer aircraft, of which at least 10,584 were built in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. Stearman Aircraft, of Wichita, Kansas, became a subsidiary of the Boeing Aircraft Company in 1934, and introduced the Model 75 Kaydet that year. Widely known as the Stearman, Boeing Stearman, or Kaydet, it served as a primary trainer for the USAAF, the USN and Marine Corps, and the RCAF throughout World War II.

It was a conventional biplane and became an unexpected success during World War II. Despite its almost obsolete design, its simple, rugged construction made it ideal as a trainer for novice pilots in the U.S. Army Air Force, and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Model 75 had a large fixed tail wheel undercarriage, and accommodation for the student and instructor in tandem open cockpits. The biplane had fabric-covered wooden wings, single-leg landing gear and an over-built welded-steel fuselage. Only radial engines were used and were typically uncowled, although some Stearman operators choose to cowl the engine. Between 1936 and 1944, Boeing built 8,584 Kaydets, in all versions, plus the equivalent of 2,000 more in spares.

The name "Yellow Peril" was not the official name of this aircraft but a colloquialism applied to several primary trainers, especially the Boeing/Stearman NS and N2S Kaydets. The name originated from the fact that all naval trainers had been painted orange-yellow since 1917 as well as from its use in Naval Aviation Reserve Bases where soon-to-be Aviation Cadets received their first training. In the event that a cadet failed to solo within a certain period of time, he was in "Peril" of washing out as an Aviation Cadet and not becoming a Naval Aviator.

Ed Scharch was stationed at NAS Minneapolis and billeted at Wold-Chamberlain Field from July 28, 1943 to October 24, 1943. As an Aviation Cadet, he successfully completed primary flight training in a Yellow Peril. During that time, Lt. Comdr. D.M. Campbell, USNR, was the Commanding Officer of NAS Minneapolis, and Lt. Comdr. W. M. Hanson, USNR, was the Executive Officer. Campbell replaced Lt. Comdr. H. C. Doan, USN, as the new C.O. on 25 June 1942.

The Stearman Kaydets were widely used airplanes. Following the war, thousands of surplus aircraft were sold on the civilian market. Their slow, low-level flying capabilities made them particularly suitable for crop dusting and spraying. They also became popular as sports planes, and for aerobatic and wing walking use in airshows. Many were still in service in the early 1990s.


 

Specifications Boeing-Stearman N2S Kaydet

Wichita 75 model (Stearman Aircraft Division/Boeing)
General Characteristics
Crew:   Two-seat tandem trainer
Length:   24 ft 3 in (7.39 m)
Wingspan:   32 ft 2 in (9.81 m)
Height:   9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)
Wing area:   298 sq ft (27.7 m²) 
Empty weight:   1,936 lb (878 kg)
Gross weight:   2,717 lb (1,232 kg)
Max takeoff weight:   2,717 lb (1,232 kg)
Powerplant:   1× Continental R-670-5, 220 hp (164 kW) 
     
Performance
Maximum speed:   124 mph (199.6 km/h)
Cruise speed:   106 mph (170.6 km/h)
Range:   505 mi (812.7 km)
Rate of climb:   578 ft/min (2.93 m/s)
Service ceiling:   11,200 ft (3,413.7 m)
Power / mass   220 hp Continental R-670-5 piston, radial engine
 
shadow
Aircraft silhouette
 
 
 
logo boeing
Stearman Aircraft Company
Division of Boeing Airplane Company
 
 

Engine Specifications

Continental R-670-K

General Specs    
Type:   Seven-cylinder air-cooled radial piston
Bore:   5.125 in (130.2 mm)
Stroke:   4.625 in (117.5 mm)
Displacement:   668 cu in (10.95 liter)
Length:   34.188 in (868.4 mm)
Diameter:   42.50 in (1,079 mm)
Dry weight:   450 lbs (204 kg)
     
Components    
Valvetrain:   Two OHD valves per cylinder
Fuel system:   1 Stromberg NA-R6 carburetor
Fuel type:   65 octane
Oil system:   Dry sump, one pressure and one scavenge pump, enclosed valve-train
Cooling system:   Air-cooled 
     
Performance    
Power output:   225 hp @ 2,175 rpm
Specific power:   0.337 hp/in³ 
Compression ratio:   5.4:1
Fuel consumption:   13 US Gal/hr at cruising rpm 
Oil consumption:   0.4 US Gal/hr at cruising rpm 
Power-to-weight ratio:   0.49 hp/lb at cruising rpm
 
Continental
R-670-K, 7-cylinder radial
engine
The engine's displacement was 668 cubic inches. A single-row, 7-cylinder radial design delivering 225 hp at 2,175 rpm with 5.4:1 compression ratio. Over 40,000 of these engines were built before and during WWII.
 
 logo 1
Continental Aircraft Engine Company
Detroit, Michigan 
 

Photos

 
hangar p5 p4
crank n2s cockpit
eng p3 ext1
 
 

Boeing-Stearman Wichita 75

Variants
 
U.S. Navy N2S "Yellow Peril"
NS Powered by surplus 220 hp Wright J-5 Whirlwind. Up to 61 delivered. (Model 73)
N2S Known colloquially as the "Yellow Peril" from its overall-yellow paint scheme. (Model 75)
N2S-1 R-670-14 Continental 7-cyl. engine. 250 delivered to the US Navy.
N2S-2 R-680-8 Lycoming 9-cyl. engine. 125 delivered to the US Navy.
N2S-3 R-670-4 Continental 7-cyl. engine. 1,875 delivered to the US Navy.
N2S-4 (99) U.S. Army aircraft diverted to the US Navy, plus 577 new-build aircraft.
N2S-5 R-680-17 Lycoming 9-cyl. engine. 1,450 delivered to the US Navy.
 
U.S. Army Air Force "Kaydet"
PT-13 R-680 Lycoming 9-cyl. engine. 2,141 total models built
PT-13 Initial production. R-680-B4B Lycoming 9-cyl. engine. 26 built
PT-13A R-680-7 Lycoming 9-cyl. engine. 92 delivered 1937-38. Model A-75.
PT-13B R-680-11 Lycoming 9-cyl. engine. 255 delivered 1939-40.
PT-13C (6) PT-13Bs modified for instrument flying.
PT-13D PT-13As equipped with R-680-17 Lycoming 9-cyl. engine. 353 delivered. Model E-75.
   
PT-17 Continental R-670-5 engine. 3,519 delivered.
PT-17A (18) PT-17s were equipped with blind-flying instrumentation.
PT-17B (3) PT-17s were equipped with agricultural spraying equipment for pest-control.
   
P-18 PT-13 with R-755 Jacobs 7-cyl. engine, 150 built.
PT-18A (6) PT-18s fitted with blind-flying instrumentation.
   
PT-27  Canadian PT-17. This designation given to 300 aircraft supplied under Lend-Lease to the RCAF.