Stearman C3
National originUnited States
ManufacturerStearman Aircraft
DesignerLloyd Stearman
Status5
Primary userair mail and commercial companies
Number built179
First flight1927

The Stearman C3 was an American-built civil biplane aircraft of the 1920s, designed by Stearman Aircraft of Wichita, Kansas. It was also the first Stearman aircraft to receive a type certificate.[1]

Development

The C3 was a rugged biplane with simple straight wings, a tough undercarriage with oleo shock absorbers and two open cockpits with the pilot in the rear and two side-by-side passenger seats in the front. In fact, it was a slightly modified version of the earlier model C2 aircraft. Changes included an increased volume oil tank and larger sized baggage compartment.[1]

Introduced in 1928, the C3 was powered by a variety of engines of between 128 hp (95 kW) and 225 hp (168 kW), each version having its own designation.[2] The last version of the C3 was the C3R which had several external differences including a cutout in the aft portion of the wing center section for improved pilot visibility, a headrest in the aft cockpit, and slightly increased chord of the rudder and vertical stabilizer.[citation needed]

Although there were several versions of the C3, most were either the C3B and the C3R. A few C3s were approved for float operations.[1]: 59,198–199

Operational history

The C3 was built with light commercial applications in mind, including passenger flying and business flights. The C3MB was a special mail-carrying aircraft based on the C3 with the forward cockpit enclosed as a dedicated cargo compartment. This version was operated in 1928 by National Parks Airways on airmail route CAM 26 from Salt Lake City, Utah to Pocatello, Idaho and Great Falls, Montana.[3]

Variants

Data from:Airlife's World Aircraft,[2] Aerofiles:Stearman[4] Variants produced were:

C1
First of the C series powered by a Curtiss OX-5, later re-engined with a 240 hp (179 kW) Menasco-Salmson radial as the C1X. One built.[4]
C2
Four aircraft similar to the C1, with the radiator mounted underneath, hydraulic shock absorbers and dual controls. Variously powered by 90 hp (67 kW) Curtiss OX-5, Wright-Hisso A, Wright Whirlwind and Menasco-Salmson radial engine.[4]
C3B Sport Commercial
220 hp (164 kW) Wright J5 radial engine.[4]
C3C
150 hp (112 kW) Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E engine.[4]
C3D
180 hp (134 kW) Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E engine. 1 delivered.[4]
C3E
190 hp (142 kW) Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E2 engine[citation needed]
C3F
190 hp (142 kW) Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E3 engine.[4]
C3G
190 hp (142 kW) Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E4 engine.[citation needed]
C3H
260 hp (194 kW) Menasco-Salmson air-cooled engine.[4]
C3I
160 hp (119 kW) Curtiss C6 engine.[citation needed]
C3K
128 hp (95 kW) Siemens-Halske Sh 12.[4]
C3L
130 hp (97 kW) Comet 7D radial engine. 1 built, later converted to C3B.[4]
C3MB
C3B with forward cockpit enclosed for mail carrying.[4]
C3P
220 hp (164 kW) Wright J5 Whirlwind radial engine.[4]
C3R Business Speedster
225 hp (168 kW) Wright J6.[5][4]

Operators

Aircraft on display

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Notes

  1. ^ Phillips, Edward (2006). Stearman Aircraft: A Detailed History. North Branch, MN: specialtypress. pp. 57, 64–67. ISBN 9781580070874.
  2. ^ Simpson, 2001, pp. 520–521.
  3. ^ Davies 1998, p. 142.
  4. ^ Eckland, E.O. "Stearman". aerofiles.com. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  5. ^ Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. 1931. pp. 317c–318c.
  6. ^ Museum of Flight. "Stearman C-3B - Manufacturer was Stearman Aircraft Company". Museumofflight.org. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
  7. ^ Ken Olsson. "Our Stories". Waaamuseum.org. Retrieved 2012-07-21.

Bibliography

  • Davies, R.E.G. Airlines of the United States since 1914. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1998. ISBN 1-888962-08-9.
  • Simpson, Rod. Airlife's World Aircraft. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-115-3.