Macon a Living

Description

Yellow and red Boeing Stearman Biplane sits in front of Lowe Aviation in Macon, Georgia, circa 1960s. This is a colorful and charming retro glimpse of yesteryear.

The two seat Boeing Stearman Biplane was formerly used as a military trainer aircraft. At least 10,626 were built in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. Stearman Aircraft became a subsidiary of Boeing in 1934. It was widely known as the Stearman, Boeing Stearman or Kaydet. By any name, it is recognized as the quintessential primary trainer for American Aviators in World War II. It was a trainer for the United States Army, Air Forces, the United States Navy, and with the Royal Canadian Air Force as the Kaydet throughout World War II. As a result, the importance of the Stearman to the US war effort cannot be overemphasized. The Royal Canadian Air Force was supplied with 300 PT-17s in the summer of 1942, to expand its fleet of basic trainers. After about four months they were traded in for Fairchild Cornells, because the open cockpit was found unsuitable for winter training.

After the conflict was over, thousands of surplus aircraft were sold on the civilian market. Manufacturing ended in 1944 for an airplane considered rugged, relatively forgiving, and overall an excellent trainer. No other biplane was ever produced in such large numbers. In the immediate postwar years the Boeing Stearman Biplane became popular as crop dusters, sports planes, and for aerobatic and wing walking use in air shows.

The Stearman continues to be a very popular airplane and over 1000 are still flying today.

This Print is Almost Sold Out! The 14.5″ x 22″ prints are available only in Limited Edition sizes of 20 Artist Proofs. The 200 Signed & Numbered edition is sold out.

Here are two more beautiful Stearmans by Sam Lyons on this website:
Stearman Sunrise and The Dream.