Meet the N3N

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:10 am

I had posted a pic of the N3N fuselage uncovered in the thread about the N3N. So I thought I would start this thread so if anyone had questions about the N3N, they could be directed here. I can and will post pics along the way where needed.

Here is the bare structure of a N3N.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:16 am

Another angle.

The N3N flight controls are push-pull tubes except for the rudder. They are the only cables in the control system.

Mag switches, throttle, mixture, fuel shut off are all done mechanically by rods and linkages.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:37 am

I suppose I should rewind a few and give a bit of info.

The N3N was built by the Navy at the Naval Aircraft Factory at the Philidelphia Naval Yard. ( If landing to the west at KPHL, you can look out the right window and see Mustin Field) This is where the N3N was born.

The Navy also bought the plans and tooling from Wright and built the R760-2 and -8 engines for the N3N at the same facility.

The NAF built 180 of the -1 versions. Only one is known to exist.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:44 am

Mustin field in the background. Foreground is the NAF facility.

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 5:45 am

How many (all versions) were built? The total number of Stearman/Boeing PT-13/17/18's (and the Navy equivelants) built is often quoted as 10346, l but that includes all the spares. Only 8584 airplanes actually flew away from the factory.

bipe215 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:12 am

How about a Pirep Jeff. Take us around the pattern.

Steve G

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:03 am

That first picture looks like Tom Morris' project up in Sonoma?

BLR · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 2:47 pm **Posts:** 425

Hi Jeff,

Are all N3N's set up for floats, ie all with standard attachment points for the floats and what's involved in converting to floats.

Brian

Sixcarbs · **Joined:** Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:31 pm **Posts:** 22

Are all of the Stearmans (the ones you see in military colors sometimes referred to as PT-17's) considered N3N's or is the N3N a special type of Stearman distinguishable from the rest?

Thanks

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:00 am

Short version,

N3N's were built by the Naval Aircraft Factory

"Stearmans" were built originally by Stearman and most WWII trainer versions such as the PT-13, PT-17, N2S, etc. were built by Boeing.

Two different planes all together, although to the untrained eye they look similar. I also don't think any of the N3N's were used by the Army.

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:10 am

I've posted a couple of pix's here from the site I run, so that you can see the visiual difference. Note the wing and tail struts, landing gear etc. (supports)

Wheels up · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:40 am

Look for the aileron slave strut. The N3N will have 4 ailerons. If a Wahcheetah Brand X has 4 ailerons it ain't the way it was created.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:41 am

Roger Cain wrote:

That first picture looks like Tom Morris' project up in Sonoma?

That is toms project.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:50 am

BLR wrote:

Hi Jeff,

Are all N3N's set up for floats, ie all with standard attachment points for the floats and what's involved in converting to floats.

Brian

Yes,

Foreward struts attach where the gear attach to the fuselage. The rear struts attach at fittings under 2 fairings at the back of the wing center section.

david layne · **Joined:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:02 pm **Posts:** 64

Here's Gary Thompson's N3N tken over Xenia Ohio, circa 1985.

If someone could place the picture here I would appreciate it. I can't figure it out.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137 ... N3N001.jpg[

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