Mystery 'RAF' Stearman

JDK · **Posted:** Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:53 pm

This was the cover photo on the August 1974 issue of Aeroplane Monthly.

Inside the cover the caption says: "Jim Williams' "Stearman Fury" in phoney 43 Sqn markings photographed by J.M.KUCERA."

I've never seen another photo of this Stearman in these colo(u)rs. The 'serial' or registration on the tail seems to be N7384. IIRC, from other articles I've read, J M Kucera was involved with the B-29 in service and the preserved B-29 'Fertle Myrtle' when she was flying, but I think he died in the mid- 1970s.

Anyone know any more?

PS: 30p is about 57c in the current exchange rate...

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:37 am

No clue James....but i'd be curious to see the article on the Ki-84. :wink:

Seems around the time POF had it flying.

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:36 am

Michel Lemieux wrote:

No clue James....but i'd be curious to see the article on the Ki-84. :wink:

Seems around the time POF had it flying.

Hah. Tell you what; someone answers my question and I'll see if I can post a copy of the (flying) photo of the Ki-84 in the mag...

marine air · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:55 am

I don't know for sure but it looks like an RAF interwar scheme . Have seem similar schemes on Bristol Bulldogs and Fairey Flycatchers. He probably just painted it to represent that era. Maybe it is copying a scheme used on an Avro Tutor. Just guessing!

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:09 am

marine air wrote:

I don't know for sure but it looks like an RAF interwar scheme . Have seem similar schemes on Bristol Bulldogs and Fairey Flycatchers. He probably just painted it to represent that era. Maybe it is copying a scheme used on an Avro Tutor. Just guessing!

Hi marine air,
Thanks - there's no doubt about the scheme - it represents 43 Sqn RAF, and was really seen on RAF Hawker Furies; the black and white checks are the squadron insignia. Not on Flycatchers (Royal Navy) or Bulldogs, but 43 flew Gamecocks and Siskins before the very famous Fury scheme. And I'm pretty certain not on any Avro Tutors either, although it's possible. The "vertical stab's" colours are, however, 'wrong' in that there should be a red/white/blue rudder stripe, not red/white/red overall.

As you say, he probably was just having a bit of fun (and I think it's cool) but I'm just curious if anyone has ever seen any other photos of it, or know anything about the owner, aircraft or photographer...

Cheers!

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:13 am

James - can you read the N-number on the tail?

Ryan

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

This is the same one that Eric Presten spent the last week sitting under the wing of at Reno. It's based at Schellville with Jeannie Williams, and Eric mentioned yesterday that it's the straightest-flying biplane he's ever flown.

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:37 am

Mike wrote:

This is the same one that Eric Presten spent the last week sitting under the wing of at Reno. It's based at Schellville with Jeannie Williams, and Eric mentioned yesterday that it's the straightest-flying biplane he's ever flown.

If that's the same plane - it sure looks to me like it's changed paint scheme...

Ryan

JDK · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:43 am

RyanShort1 wrote:

James - can you read the N-number on the tail?

I'm not sure. See post 1. Seems to be N7384 - Mike?

Thanks Mike - do they have any shots of it in this scheme?

Cheers.

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:48 am

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2893191 ... 8672SGyHmX - looks slightly different to me, but hey...

Ryan

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=17384

My pony still needs legs James....

Mike · **Joined:** Tue May 04, 2004 8:54 am **Posts:** 3331

RyanShort1 wrote:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2893191490077698672SGyHmX - looks slightly different to me, but hey...

Ryan

Wrong Stearman. There are half a dozen or so based at Schellville - the one you've linked to is in an RCAF scheme.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:03 am

Were there any 'tween wars' movies being shot in that time frame where they would need a 'period type' aircraft for the heeeero (John Neversweat starring as Lostyn Lonely) or as background dressing?

ZRX61 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:16 am **Posts:** 2308

About 17 years ago I was helping a Marine Colonel with his Stearman, He moved to the Pentagon before it was finished & I never saw it in one piece, but the plan was "reversed" Blue Angels color scheme with "US Marines" in place of the US Navy logo's

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:26 pm

Mike wrote:

This is the same one that Eric Presten spent the last week sitting under the wing of at Reno. It's based at Schellville with Jeannie Williams, and Eric mentioned yesterday that it's the straightest-flying biplane he's ever flown.

James,
Mike is correct, that is the late Jim Williams (Jeannie's husband) Stearman that he used to fly as an aerobatic routine at lots of the shows here. Tail number is N17384, s/n 75-5741. PM me if you need more info. Jim loved the early "Fury", thus the paint scheme, and recovered recently in is memory.

This picture was taken last Monday at Stead Field with Presten departing for home.

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Mystery 'RAF' Stearman

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