This 1941 Boeing/Stearman PT-17 Is a Golden Age ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

This 1941 Stearman is the quintessential biplane. [Courtesy: Annamarie Buonocore]

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1941 Boeing/Stearman PT-17.

Flying a 1940s Stearman biplane is a singular experience that will leave any pilot feeling fortunate and perhaps humbled. How did those young cadets learn to land these things so quickly during World War II? Perhaps it was the urgency of life during wartime, or maybe the producers of the training films I have watched left out the nastier cases of ground loops, noseovers, and other botched landings. Either way, these old biplanes still have a lot of training to offer.

The aircraft for sale here has been upgraded with the Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine, which puts out 450 hp—a big jump from the 220 hp Continentals that powered many Stearmans from the factory. The extra power gives these old birds thrilling performance through big, airshow-style maneuvers. Indeed, this Stearman is registered in the aerobatic category.

This 1941 Stearman has 3,637 hours on the airframe and 912 hours on its Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine since overhaul. The VFR panel features basic “steam gauge” instruments.

Pilots interested in finding out how aerial combatants trained for WWII or simply experiencing a piece of aviation’s golden age should consider this 1941 Boeing/Stearman, which is available for $129,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the aircraft through FLYING Finance. For more information, email info@flyingfinance.com.

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450 hp AircraftForSale Boeing Stearman piston Prstt & Whitney PT-17 R-985 Radial Single Engine Warbirds

Jonathan WelshAuthor

Jonathan Welsh is a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4