PT-17 Stearman 25e
The Stearman PT-17 Bi-plane was a very rugged aircraft used by the
United States Army Air Force and Navy prior to and during World War
Two as a primary trainer.
Fitted with a powerful seven cylinder R670 Continental radial engine
and tandem seat open cockpits the PT-17 provided a relatively stable
platform on which novice pilots could master the basic flying skills
before moving on to fly more advanced aircraft and the mono-plane
fighters of the day.
With some 10,000 aircraft produced between 1938 and 1948 it is hardly
surprising that at wars end many of these aircraft found their way
into civilian hands and were used as either crop-dusters or as display
aircraft in the numerous “barnstorming” flying shows that were becoming
very popular. Even today with over 1000 airworthy examples still
flying they continue to wow the crowds with the distinctive sound
made by their propeller tips going supersonic at maximum engine revs
and their “daring do” aerobatics at air shows around the world, their
“wing walking” routines being a particular favourite.
EFL2950 E-flite, PT-17 Stearman 25e
Thanks to E-flite the modeller can relive those early days with this
super almost-ready-to-fly scale model of the PT-17. The model features
a very scale outline and a highly visible and accurate WW2 US Army
colour scheme with a deep blue fuselage, yellow wings, red and white
striped rudder and pre-applied decals and graphics. For even more
scale appeal a realistic looking dummy nine-cylinder radial engine
is included.
Having a compact size and wingspan of 1117mm (44 inch) the PT-17
can be flown from relatively small flying fields and thanks to its
bi-plane layout and light wing loading the model has a realistically
scale flight performance along with the ability to perform all of
the aerobatic manoeuvres of its full-size counterpart.
Designed from the start to offer ease of assembly and transport
the model features plug in wing panels and a unique “transport truss”
that allows the model to be transported safely and easily to the
flying field. Once there it also acts as an assembly jig allowing
for quick assembly, whilst the large removable battery hatch provides
quick access to the flight batteries between flights without the
need to remove the wings.
Other pre-fabricated scale features include pre-painted cabane and
interplane struts,
aluminium landing gear covered with painted fiberglass fairings with
scale looking wheels and tyres, pre-painted fibreglass cowl and twin
open cockpits with the correct three panel glazed windscreens that
are ready to accommodate the optional military pilot figures (EFLA150)
Even though the PT-17 is a bi-plane, thanks to the extensive amount
of pre-fabrication, comprehensive hardware pack and E-flite’s easy
to follow assembly guide this delightful scale model can be flight
ready in just a few evenings. So if you have ever wanted to fly a
bi-plane but been put-off by the thought of all the building and
rigging normally associated with bi-planes, try this great looking
PT-17 from E-flite, you won’t be disappointed.
Twice the wings with half the hassle! |
