CMF Acquires Historical Boeing Stearman (4 x Pics)

[daveymac82c]

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted on here in ages, but here's some cool news out of my neighbourhood.

The Canadian Museum of Flight, in Langley, BC has acquired a Boeing Stearman with considerable local historical significance.



The Stearman was purchased by Art Seller and Skyway Aviation in 1960, and that company later evolved into Conair, the largest water-bombing company in the world. The Stearman was purchased for the purposes of being a crop-spray trainer, but was also used as a glider tow-plane. It was given a metalized fuselage and a Pratt & Whitney R985, but was later re-engined back to it's original Continental engine for a reason I'm not sure of.


The airplane had just been pulled out of the hangar, and I took these pictures before it received a good cleaning. (note the dusty upper wing)



Another interesting thing about this Stearman is that judging by the fittings and attachment points around the cockpit, I can tell that at some point it had been fitted with an enclosed canopy for the rear cockpit only. Has anyone ever seen that kind of set up? Share pictures of any?



Quick stats:
Boeing Stearman A75N1 - Serial 75-523
Military Serial - 40-1966
Order Number - AC 13244
Date Accepted - 10-18-40

If anybody in the WIX world has the ability, can someone tell me where this plane was stationed while in US military service (Navy or Army)? The more info the merrier as we are trying to put together the most complete history of this machine.

Peace,

David McIntosh

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Fouga23]

Never seen a metal fuselage Stearman. Any info on the conversion?

[DH82EH]

First I've heard of that as well.
The fittings around the rear pit could possibly be for a cover.

Thanks for the post David.
Don't be a stranger
Someone here will know more for sure.

Andy

[Ken]

There was just an article on the Stearman canopy and a quick google doesn't bring it up, darn. Most likely in EAA magazine. The info and photos were very detailed of a guy who just restored one and is using it. I had not seen one before that article.

Ken

[mike furline]

40-1892/2041 Stearman PT-18

Looks like 40-1966 started life as a PT-18 (PT-13 with a Jacobs R-755 engine, 150 built).

[JohnB]

Concerning the metal covering conversion...I'd like to know if the original wood formers that give the fuselage its shape (for those of you unfamiliar with the type, the Stearman fuselage structure consists of a rectangular assembly of tubes) are still there or if they've been replaced by metal ones.

[Baldeagle]

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[JohnB]

That's the standard PT-27 canopy...which covers both cockpits.

[daveymac82c]

Hey Fouga23 and DH82EH, the metalized fuselage was quite normal (from what I understand) for the post-war crop spraying Stearmans. I imagine it was done to eliminate the problem of damaging the fuselage fabric with all the potent chemicals used in spraying.

Ken, it would be great to track down that article, if you can find it. After my original post I did google Stearman canopies, and there were a few variations that I came across, but nothing that looks like what would have been fitted to this specific airplane. UNTIL NOW... I just found this, and it is the EXACT airplane CF-FWV with the canopy attached, and while it had the R985 on the front.



Mike Furline, Thank you for that information. I'm trying to make sense of all the different numbering systems for serial, order number, engine number, etc.... Do you have any idea where this plane would have been stationed?



JohnB, I don't believe that any of the original wood was used to provide the fuselage shape. I could be wrong, but I believe that the metalized fuselage was of a semi-monocoque construction. I haven't had a chance to dive into the CMF's new Stearman, but I have a friend that is restoring a Stearman and his was also an ex-spray plane with a slightly different metalized fuselage than this Skyway example. I'm sure he would have an answer about the wood formers. Btw, his Stearman is 75-003.

Baldeagle, thank you for the images, but I was previously aware of that canopy setup. On the CMF's new stearman the canopy attachment points consisted of hinges on both sills of the cockpit, and the diagonal line of holes you see going from the sill up towards the top-center of the fuselage which I can only assume were dzus fastener points.

Thank you everyone for your input, and hopefully I'll be posting pictures of this beautiful bird taking to the air again soon. And maybe one day with me flying it!

Peace,

David McIntosh

[Mick G]

You might be able to get answers out of Barry Marsden who still works at Conair to my knowledge and I believe the last of the original members that took over from Art back 45+ year ago as they apparently acquired 5 Stearmans in the deal.

[Pogmusic]

I'm sorry. Stearman's and canopies DO NOT MIX!!!!

[C VEICH]

I'm sorry. Stearman's and canopies DO NOT MIX!!!!

Maybe not down in sunny Florida but up in Canada you may have a different perspective!

[mike furline]

Mike Furline, Thank you for that information. I'm trying to make sense of all the different numbering systems for serial, order number, engine number, etc.... Do you have any idea where this plane would have been stationed?

There doesn't appear to be any accident reports for 40-1966. Perhaps it lead a scratch free life?

The airframes immediately before and after 40-1966 were based at or had accidents here.(You'll notice some of these aircraft are listed as PT-17's and/or PT-18's or both. Was this based on an engine swap/mod or just a typo, IDK?)
40-1964, http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/ ... Submit4=Go
40-1965, http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/ ... Submit4=Go
40-1967, http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/ ... Submit4=Go
40-1968, http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/ ... Submit4=Go

and PT-18 accidents in general throughout the war. http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/ ... Submit3=Go

[JohnB]

I'm sorry. Stearman's and canopies DO NOT MIX!!!!

Tell that to the USAAF (who bought them) and the RCAF (who flew them...

[warbirdfinder]

The fuselage formers on the Stearman were aluminum, not wood