Stearman Cloudboy
| Model 6 Cloudboy | |
|---|---|
| 300px | |
| The YBT-3 | |
| Role | Training biplane |
| Manufacturer | Stearman Aircraft Company |
| First flight | 1931 |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Corps |
| Produced | 1930-1931 |
| Number built | 7 |
The Stearman Model 6 Cloudboy was a 1930s American training biplane designed and built by the Stearman Aircraft Company of Wichita, Kansas.
History
The Cloudboy was designed as a commercial or military trainer. Due to economic pressure during the Great Depression, only a few aircraft were built. Three civil models were built, followed by four similar aircraft for evaluation by the United States Army Air Corps. Designated YPT-9 by the Army, it failed to gain any orders. All models went through a number of engine changes (resulting in new designations for both the military and civil aircraft).
Today, the Cloudboy is an extremely rare aircraft; only four Model 6 Cloudboys are still registered. Known examples include: N787H, serial number 6002, owned by Ronald Alexander and displayed at the Candler Field Museum in Williamson, Georgia;[1] N788H, serial number 6003, on display at the Golden Wings Flying Museum in Blaine, Minnesota;[2] N795H, serial number 6004, on display at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California; N786H, serial number 6010.
Variants
- Model 6A Cloudboy
- Initial civil production with a 165hp (123kW) Wright J-6 Whirlwind 5 engine, three built.
- Model 6C Cloudboy
- Re-engined with a 300hp (224kW) Wright J-6-9 Whirlwind (R-975-1), also designated YBT-3.
- Model 6D Cloudboy
- Re-engined with a 300hp (224kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior, also designated YBT-5
- Model 6F Cloudboy
- Re-engined with a 165hp (123kW) Continental A70 engine., also designated YBT-9A.
- Model 6H Cloudboy
- Re-engined with a 170hp (127kW) Kinner YR-720A engine, also designated YBT-9C.
- Model 6L Cloudboy
- Re-engined with a 200hp (149kW) Lycoming R-680-3 engine, also designated YBT-9B
- Model 6P Cloudboy
- One 6F re-engined with 1 220hp Wright J-5 engine
- YPT-9
- Military production variant of the Model 6A with a 165hp (123kW) Wright J-6 Whirlwind 5 engine, four built (one converted to YPT-9A, one to YPT-9B, one to YBT-3 and one YBT-5).
- YPT-9A
- One YPT-9 re-engined with a 165hp (123kW) Continental A7] (YR-545-1) engine, later converted to YPT-9B.
- YPT-9B
- One YPT-9 and one YPT-9A re-engined with a 200hp (149kW) Lycoming R-680-3 engine.
- YPT-9C
- YBT-3 re-engined with a 170hp (127kW) Kinner YR-720A engine.
- YBT-3
- One YBT-9 re-engined with a 300hp (224kW) Wright J-6-9 Whirlwind, later converted to a YPT-9C.
- YBT-5
- One YBT-9 re-engined with a 300hp (224kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior engine.
- XPT-943
- A primary trainer derived from the 6A for evaluation at Wright Field. Formed the origins of the Stearman NS and PT-13 for the US Navy and USAAC respectively.
- X-70
- Alternative company designation for the XPT-943.
Operators
Specifications (YPT-9B)
Data from United States Military Aircraft since 1909[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 24 ft 8 in (7.52 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.76 m)
- Height: 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m)
- Wing area: 272 ft2 (25.3 m2)
- Gross weight: 2,814 lb (1,279 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming R-680-3, 200 hp (149 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 135 mph (217 km/h)
- Range: 490 miles (789 km)
- Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,183 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,050 ft/min (5.3 m/s)
See also
- Related lists
References
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- ↑ http://www.peachstateaero.com/museum/
- ↑ http://www.goldenwingsmuseum.com/collection/AC-Pages/YPT-9.htm
- ↑ Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 441.
External links
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