1943 Boeing Stearman
Spin back the clock...
A wide array of confusing designators are assigned to this aircraft, B75N1, N2S-5, PT-17, but everyone in aviation is familiar with the name "Stearman". Boeing started building this machine for the military as a primary trainer using a new concept at the time by "overbuilding" the aircraft to tolerate loads many times greater than it would ever see in service. Maybe that's why so many of these proud birds are still in existence today? Many ended their military careers and started civilian life as cropdusters and airshow performers, being modified with larger engines and having their tubing chopped up to install chemical hoppers. Since the advent of purpose-designed ag-aircraft, almost all of the old Stearmans have been retired from cropdusting and many have been lovingly restored back to military or colorful civilian dress.
Andover Flight acquired its Stearman in the fall of 2004 as a partially completed project after many months of looking at a number of current aircraft for sale. The quality of many of the planes available at that time was disappointing; if we were going to offer this type of aircraft we surely wanted a fine example. As it turned out, we came back around to the first aircraft we looked at, even though it was still a project. Winter was approaching, so the task was taken on of moving the aircraft by truck from New Hampshire and completing the restoration ourselves. Once completed in April of 2005, we proudly offered what we believe is the cleanest Stearman available on our flight line for all to enjoy!
Flying in an open cockpit you will experience new sensations no other type of flying can provide. As a pilot, you will learn to make the feel and sound of the wind your partner in the flight, guiding you through each maneuver and giving gentle hints along the way. As a passenger you will experience the unlimited visibility and the sights, sounds and smells that the barnstormers of the 1930's took for granted.