Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet

Stearman Aircraft · USA · first flew 1941 · light aircraft

The N2S-3 was the most numerous US Navy variant of the Stearman Model 75 Kaydet, powered by the Continental R-670 radial engine and produced in large quantities for wartime primary flight training.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Most numerous Navy N2S variant, Continental R-670
• Principal US Navy biplane primary trainer WWII
• Boeing-Stearman Kaydet in yellow training scheme

Classic open-cockpit biplane identical in outline to all N2S variants; Continental R-670 cowling and Yellow Wings training livery are the standard recognition features of the N2S-3 in its wartime guise.

Specifications

• The Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet has a length of 7.54 m (25 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 9.8 m (32 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 198 km/h (123 mph).
• Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Ordered in the largest single batch of the N2S series, the N2S-3 equipped the majority of Navy primary training squadrons during World War II; the type was rugged enough to survive the rough handling of student pilots and forgiving enough to teach flying fundamentals effectively.

Variants

The N2S-3 was followed by the N2S-4 and N2S-5 with further engine and equipment changes; post-war, many N2S-3s were converted to crop-duster and civil use alongside other Kaydet variants.

Where you'll see it

Served at all major US Navy primary training stations including NAS Corpus Christi and NAS Pensacola during World War II; surplus aircraft flooded the civilian market after 1945.

Related aircraft

• Stearman N2S-2 Kaydet
• Stearman N2S-4 Kaydet
• Stearman N2S-5 Kaydet
• Stearman XA-21
• Aeronca L-3
• Airspeed AS.45 Cambridge
• Antonov A-7
• Arado Ar 231

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