Stearman C-3B on on static display in the Great gallery of the Museum of Flight, Boeing Field, Seattle

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Stearman C-3B on on static display in the Great gallery of the Museum of Flight, Boeing Field, Seattle. Known for rugged dependability and no-nonsense design, Stearman C-2s and C-3s became popular replacement planes on the short-haul "feeder" lines of America's growing commercial airmail system. The majority of Stearman C-3s were the C-3B "Sport Commercial" variety, with a Wright J-5 engine. Many C-3Bs were used as sportplanes and advanced trainers well into the 1930s. Nearing the end of their days, some C-3s became crop-dusting aircraft until after World War II, when replaced with another Stearman biplane -- surplus "Kaydet" trainers. The Museum's C-3B was acquired in 1986. It has been restored as a Western Air Express airmail carrier. Western Air Express began flying C-3Bs in late 1927.

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Size: 5050px × 3360px
Location: Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, Washington 98108
Photo credit: © John Gaffen 2 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: airmail, biplane, dependable, historic, rugged, seattle, sportplanes