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Stearmans in the Sky! - Part I
By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer
Watford, Ontario, Canada
The Stearman was a common sight in the skies of America during World War II, used as a training aircraft for the US Army Air Force and US Navy.

If you're one who appreciates American aviation history, you are likely very aware of the contribution the Boeing Stearman made to the war effort during World War II. The Stearman Aircraft Corporation designed and built the Stearman in the 1930s, became part of the Boeing Company in 1934, continuing to produce the Stearman into the 1940s. It was well suited for training pilots and was used by the US Army Air Force and US Navy (NS/NS2) during World War II. In Canada, the aircraft was flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force and was referred to as the Kaydet.

The big radial slung on the nose of the Stearman makes lots of noise, but you'll get out of the aeroplane with a huge smile, whether your 1st flight or your 400th!

The Stearman PT-17, as it's commonly known, is a large, 2 place tandem biplane with a 7 cylinder radial engine slung on the nose. It is loud. It is oily. It can be a handful when on the ground but it is a fun aeroplane to fly and fly in. You can not get out of a Stearman, after a flight, without a big smile! The wind in your face and hair (providing you have any), the constant thunder of the engine up front, the oil on the windscreen and that true feeling of barnstormer style flying gives one an experience not soon forgotten.

The view through the wires and between the wings is one you'll always remember and long to experience again... and again.

To get into the Stearman you almost need some equine experience because getting that leg up onto the wing and hoisting yourself up is akin to mounting a horse (unless you have a pilot who has a small step stool folded up in his/her storage bin). Getting your foot up onto the wing is only half the battle. From there, you need to grab on, to the appropriate place as instructed by your pilot, and pull yourself up onto the wing. From there, you step forward to the front seat, grab the handles on the upper wing, get your right leg over the side of the cockpit and place your right foot on the seat, then lift yourself up and place your left foot either the seat, or on to the floor, then let yourself down into the seat then let go the handles. To get out, you basically follow the same steps but in reverse. Regardless, once you're in and flying, the experience is one of a lifetime for many!

The cockpit layout of the Stearman is pretty basic, left. What your view may look like during your flight in a Stearman.

Now that you're in the seat, if you're not familiar with the seat belt system, your pilot, or someone with experience, will get you strapped in, go over the instruments and controls, get your headset on and make sure you know the appropriate emergency procedures should there be a need. From there, your experience only gets better. From there, you're hooked on Stearman flying!

The National Stearman Fly-in takes places the first week of September in Galesburg, Illinois. There are also fly-outs to Geneseo, IL, left, Tri-County Airport, and the Wolford's farm, right.

Now that you have a little information about the Stearman, you should know that there's a very big Stearman event that takes place, annually, in Galesburg, Illinois called the National Stearman Fly-in. It happens the first week of September, every year, since 1971. It is a week full of Stearmans from across the United States and Canada and includes fly-outs to various local airports in the area as well as assorted events, meals and the opportunity to spend time with like-minded people, owners, pilots, Stearman lovers and aviation buffs.

There are lots of Stearmans that make the trip, left, but also other folks who come for a visit such as this T-34 Mentor, right.

There were more than 80 Stearman aircraft in attendance during the 2019 National Stearman Fly-in as well as several other general aviation aircraft that visited throughout the week including a couple of T-6 Texans, a couple of Aviat Husky aircraft, a Piper Tri Pacer and more. Everyone is welcome and it's hosted by Jet Air Inc, which is based out of Galesburg but also have operations at Iowa City and Burlington, Iowa. Jet Air sponsors the NSFI and are absolutely fabulous and gracious hosts as well as operating their own Boeing Stearman.

Two other great fly-out destinations during the week long National Stearman Fly-in are to Tri-County Airport, left, and Kewanee Airport, right.

During the week long event, pilots and their crews are invited to attend several fly-outs to other airports including Tri-County Airport, Kewanee and Geneseo, all of which are located in Illinois and are within a 25 or so minute flight from Galesburg. The hosts of all these fly-outs pull out all the stops for the visiting aircraft and their pilots and crews and welcome everyone, including those attending by car, with open arms.

The Tri-County Airport is a lovely, long grass strip, left, and, the Shipley's hangar, right, is stunning!

The fly-out to Tri-County Airport, to a beautiful grass strip, owned by Dave & Cathy Shipley. They host a spread of sandwiches, salads and desserts in absolutely pristine hangar that also functions, not just as their hangar, but also their entertainment & games room as well as their residence. Certainly a dream of many pilots and aeroplane owners! Dave flies a lovely Cessna 172 out of his strip, though many have suggested he's in need of his own Stearman!

Several Stearmans make the flight over to Kewanee, left, where lots of school children, right, come to see all the aircraft and pilots and Hans Nordsiek, the Storyteller.

Another fly-out is an annual trip to Kewanee Airport. The folks at Kewanee put on a delicious lunch inside the main airport hangar with many locals as well as school students that come out for the event. The folks their love having the Stearman aircraft, pilots and crews visit and it shows. While at the airport, folks have the opportunity to enjoy lunch, chat with pilots & crews, and students are entertained by former KLM pilot and Stearman owner, Hans Nordsiek, also known as "The Storyteller."

There's always Stearman coming and going throughout the day during the fly-in.

Next week we'll return to Galesburg, Illinois for more of the National Stearman Fly-in that takes places the first week of September, every year, in Galesburg, Illinois. We'll see more Stearmans and a few more of the visiting aircraft that make the trip as well as a look ahead to 2021 and a special Stearman flight that is being planned across the United States and part of Canada.

The home of the NSFI, Galesburg Airport, left. There are always Stearmans in the air, right, during the week long event.
The Red Baron Stearman formation, laying some smoke in the sky.
Landing the Stearman at the Wolford's Farm on a windy day can be tricky.
Flying eastward on a beautiful, late summer day, left. The radial engine that pulls many a Stearman through the air, right.
Come back next week to see more of the fabulous Stearman and the National Stearman Fly-in 2019.
By Kevin Moore, Contributing Editor & Photographer
Watford, Ontario, Canada
kevinwmoorephotography@hotmail.ca
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