Stearman C2
Template:Short description Template:Infobox aircraft
The Stearman C2 is an American single-engine three-seat open-cockpit utility biplane, and was the second aircraft type produced by the Stearman Aircraft company. The aircraft first flew in 1927.
Design and development
The airframe of the C2 was almost identical to the model C1. Aside from the engine installation, differences included an aileron push-pull rods that actuated the single pair of ailerons on the upper wings via torque tubes and bell cranks internal to the upper wings rather than using ones connected to the lower wings. Later C-series Stearmans retained this simpler system.[1]
Various types of engines were installed, including both air cooled radials and water-cooled V-8s. Unlike the C1 that had the radiator mounted in the nose, C2s with radiators had them under the fuselage between the undercarriage legs.[1]
When the type certification process resulted in the similar C3 becoming the first certified Stearman aircraft, some C2 aircraft were modified to C3B standard.
The most numerous version was the C2B which had a Wright J-5 radial engine.
The C2M ("M" for mail) was designed to meet the requirements of Varney Airlines, and Western Air Express, included having the front cockpit covered over and turned into a mail hold.[1]
Production
In total, 33 C2s were manufactured with the first three built in the original Stearman plant in Venice, California.
Variants
- C2/C2A
- Template:Cvt liquid-cooled Curtiss OX-5 water-cooled V-8 engine.[2] Five built, one later converted to C2B standard. Individual airframes were used to test various engines, including the C2C's Wright-built Hispano-Suiza 8 (NC3440), the C2B's Wright Whirlwind (NC3922) and a Salmson radial engine.
- C2B
- Template:Cvt Wright J-5 Whirlwind air-cooled radial. At least 20 built, plus one C2A converted to a C2B. At least 9 C2Bs were upgraded to C3B or C3MB standard to be certified, a requirement for continued use with commercial operations.[2]
- C2C
- Template:Cvt Wright-built Hispano-Suiza 8 water-cooled V-8. None built, but one C2 was test fitted with engine before being converted to C3C standard.
- C2H (1929 ATC 137)
- Template:Cvt Menasco-Salmson air-cooled radial. One custom aircraft built, registered as NC5600,[2] with experimental "speed wings". Later converted to C3B.
- C2K (1929 ATC 2-53)
- Template:Cvt Siemens-Halske SH-12 radial engine. 2 built, both later converted to C3 standard.[2]
- C2MB
- Mailplane with front cockpit as mail hold with a Template:Cvt Wright J-5 radial.[2] No aircraft were registered as C2MBs and no ATC number was issued which would have been mandatory for commercial mail operations.
Operators
The majority were operated by sportsmen, and the type was marketed specifically to hunters. Commercial operators included:
- American Airways
- National Parks Airways
- Pacific Alaska Airways
- Quick Aviation Company (crop dusting)
- Western Air Express
Aircraft on display
- Stearman C2B NC5415 serial 121, in Alaskan Airways markings at the Alaska Aviation Museum, Anchorage, Alaska.[3]
Specifications (Stearman C2B)
Data from Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Bowen Jr., R. Sydney, ed. (21 May 1928). "The Stearman biplane". Aviation Week. Vol. XXIV, no. 21. New York City: Aviation Publishing Corp. pp. 1454, 1470–1471, 1479–1480.
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity: 2 passengers and baggageTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/convertTemplate:Aircraft specs/convertTemplate:Aircraft specs/convert
- Airfoil: Stearman section[4]Template:Aircraft specs/convertTemplate:Aircraft specs/convertTemplate:Aircraft specs/convert
- Fuel capacity: Template:CvtTemplate:Aircraft specs/convert
- Undercarriage track: Template:CvtTemplate:Aircraft specs/engTemplate:Aircraft specs/engTemplate:Aircraft specs/engTemplate:Aircraft specs/lengthTemplate:Aircraft specs/convert
- Propellers: 2-bladed metal Hamilton or Curtiss-Reid fixed-pitch propellerTemplate:Aircraft specs/length
PerformanceTemplate:Aircraft specs/speedTemplate:Aircraft specs/speedTemplate:Aircraft specs/speedTemplate:Aircraft specs/speedTemplate:Aircraft specs/speedTemplate:Aircraft specs/rangeTemplate:Aircraft specs/rangeTemplate:Aircraft specs/rangeTemplate:Aircraft specs/convertTemplate:Aircraft specs/convertTemplate:Aircraft specs/convertTemplate:Aircraft specs/convertTemplate:Aircraft specs/convertTemplate:Aircraft specs/convert
- Fuel consumption: Template:Cvt/hr
See also
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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
(Partial listing, only covers most numerous types)
- Alexander Eaglerock
- American Eagle A-101
- Brunner-Winkle Bird
- Buhl-Verville CA-3 Airster
- Command-Aire 3C3
- Parks P-1
- Pitcairn Mailwing
- Spartan C3
- Swallow New Swallow
- Travel Air 2000 and 4000
- Waco 10
Related lists
References
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Phillips, Edward (2006). Stearman Aircraft: A Detailed History. North Branch, MN: specialtypress. pp. 36–39 & 198. ISBN 978-1580070874.
- ^ a b c d e Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Eckland, K. O. (14 July 2008). "Stearman". Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."1928 STEARMAN C2B". Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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