Stearman

I've flown Stearmans with everything from a 220 Continental to an R-1340, but I've never seen one wiith a three bladed prop like this one - with the neat spinner and all.

Very sharp. Is it original to any Stearmans?

 

That is not an original "as designed" Stearman and cannot be identified as PT-17 because of its R1340, cowling, three bladded prop, etc. A real Stearman has either a 220 Continental or a 200 Lycoming-----R670 , R680. All others are modifications or custom jobs and should be identified as such.
The black airplane is a Waco " U " type and very nice. I can't remember the various factory designations but it has a U type wing. like a UPF -7 but a newer style fuselage. They had RNF's, YCZ's, CZF's, UPF's, ATO's CSO's . Didn't have an ABC, tho.
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Wow! Great plane !

Got a ride one afternoon back in 70 something....
in return for helping drag it out of the hangar.

Wasn't ready for the really slow and low ride above my own house @ 500'
Hanging out in the open without a leather helmet, smelling the engine fumes, being blown back by the prop, was simply indescribable.
Something everyone who flies should do at least once, even if it's just
with a commercial sightseeing tour....

 

You're right on, Charlie. My second airplane ride was in a Waco 10 in 1936. It had no cowl over the engine and I not only smelled the exhaust but got splattered with water and oil blowing back from a worn out engine. I froze my little 9 year old butt, but it was a thrill to strain up and see the Potomac River beyond the leather cockpit coaming. I wasn't offered a helmet or goggles but I toughed it out when I stole peeks out of the volumenous cockpit. Nothing like listening to the singing wires as speed and attitude change. I have written about all my flights and I'm still at it......pages building and close to 60K words.
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One of these days I'll dig out the few pictures I have of the Stearmans I used to teach in. Mostly R-985 engined Stearmans - what a blast. The drag was amazing - standard 180 degree turn = close throttle, point aircraft straight down, roll 180 degrees, pull up, add power. No change in airspeed thru the entire maneuver!

 

Yeah MAN ! And I'll bet that wires were singing a beautiful song.