C3B The Original Stearman

The C3B Stearman is only vaguely related to the much more familiar PT-17 Stearman, that was actually a Model 75 Boeing. The early C3B was much larger and was intended for sportsman pilots and mail service. Previously owned by Ron Alexander, N8835 is flown here by Brian Newman who oversaw and did much of the restoration.

When the name Stearman is mentioned in aviation circles, the first thought that comes to mind is of the popular World War II PT-13, PT-17 and N2S biplane military primary training planes that introduced thousands of military pilots to flying. However, for the most part, those airplanes were actually Boeing Model 75 Kaydets. The Stearman Aircraft Company was founded by Lloyd Stearman at Venice, California, in 1927 and then re-organized a year later in Wichita,...

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