Stearman Cloudboy

Model 6 Cloudboy
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).[1]

Variants

Model 6L Stearman Cloudboy (YBT-9B), N787H
Model 6A Cloudboy
Initial civil production with a 165 hp (123 kW) Wright J-6 Whirlwind 5 engine, three built.
Model 6C Cloudboy
Re-engined with a 300 hp (220 kW) Wright J-6-9 Whirlwind (R-975-1), also designated YBT-3.
Model 6D Cloudboy
Re-engined with a 300 hp (220 kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior, also designated YBT-5
Model 6F Cloudboy
Re-engined with a 165 hp (123 kW) Continental A70 engine, also designated YBT-9A.
Model 6H Cloudboy
Re-engined with a 170 hp (130 kW) Kinner YR-720A engine, also designated YBT-9C.
Model 6L Cloudboy
Re-engined with a 200 hp (150 kW) Lycoming R-680-3 engine, also designated YBT-9B
YBT-5
Model 6P Cloudboy
One 6F re-engined with 1 220 hp (160 kW) Wright J-5 engine
YPT-9
Military production variant of the Model 6A with a 165 hp (123 kW) 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 165 hp (123 kW) Continental A70 (YR-545-1) engine, later converted to YPT-9B.
YPT-9B
One YPT-9 and one YPT-9A re-engined with a 200 hp (150 kW) Lycoming R-680-3 engine.
YPT-9C
YBT-3 re-engined with a 170 hp (130 kW) Kinner YR-720A engine.
YBT-3
One YPT-9 re-engined with a 300 hp (220 kW) Wright J-6-9 Whirlwind, later converted to a YPT-9C.
YBT-5
One YPT-9 re-engined with a 300 hp (220 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985-1 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

 United States
United States Army Air Corps

Surviving aircraft

Specifications (YPT-9B)

Data from United States Military Aircraft since 1909[9]

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 sq ft (25.3 m2)
  • Gross weight: 2,814 lb (1,279 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming R-680-3 , 200 hp (149 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 135 mph (217 km/h, 117 kn)
  • Range: 490 mi (789 km, 430 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,183 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,050 ft/min (5.3 m/s)

See also

Related lists

Notes

  1. ^ Phillips, Edward (2006). Stearman Aircraft: A Detailed History. North Branch, MN: specialtypress. pp. 95, 97, 106–108. ISBN 9781580070874.
  2. ^ "Museum". Peach State Aerodrome. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  3. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N787H]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  4. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N788H]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  5. ^ "1930 Stearman Cloudboy L-6 / YPT-9". Golden Wings Flying Museum. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Stearman YPT-9B Cloudboy". Yanks Air Museum. Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  7. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N795H]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  8. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N786H]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  9. ^ Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 441.

References

  • Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
  • Swanborough, F.G; Bowers, Peter M. (1963). United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. p. 2958.
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