Boeing-Stearman

Kaydet PT13/17
US Airforce / Navy Primary Trainer
Assembly and finishing Manual
for ARF stand-off scale model
in 1:5 scale.
Historical data and presentation.
Model design and construction drawing by
Gran Kaldern
Rev. 2002-08-15
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 2
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 3
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 4
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 5
Boieng Stearman PT-17 Kaydet
Nicknamed the Yellow Peril thanks to its
somewhat tricky ground handling characteristics, the
Stearman is one of the most easily recognized air-
craft. Its simple construction, rugged dependability and
nimble handling made the Stearman much loved by
those who flew and trained on it. The Stearman Kaydet,
as it was officially named, was the only American air-
craft used during World War II that was completely
standardized for both Army and Navy use as the PT
13D (Army) and N255 (Navy). Sold by the thousands
after World War II, the Stearman has had a long and
full career as a trainer, crop duster and air show per-
former.
The famed Stearman Model 75 has its roots
in the earlier Model 70, which was chosen in 1934 as
the U.S. Navys primary trainer. At a time when bi-
planes were becoming a thing of the past, the Model
70 offered the fledgling pilot a steady and sturdy steed.
Designed and built in only 60 days, the prototype Model
70 could withstand load factors much higher than were
expected to occur in normal flight training. The U.S.
Army and Navy tested the prototype in 1934. At the
conclusion of these tests, the Navy ordered the air-
craft while the Army decided to wait for the introduc-
tion of the improved Model 75 appearing in 1936. Over
the next decade, the Armydecided to wait for the in-
troduction of the improved Model 75 appearing in 1936.
Over the next decade, the Army received nearly 8,500
Stearmans in five different variants. The difference
among these versions were the engines fitted; Kaydets
were fitted with Lycoming (PT 13), Continental (PT
17) or Jacobs (PT 18) radial engines. The U.S. Navy
took delivery of their first Stearman (called the NS-1 )
in 1934. Powered with the obsolete but readily avail-
able Wright R-790-8 engine, the NS-1 proved its worth
as a primary trainer. The Navy purchased several thou-
sand of an improved model, the N2S. The N2S was
built in five sub variants, each variant being equipped
with a different model engine. Additionally, the Cana-
dian armed forces took delivery of 300 PT 27s, a win-
terized version of the PT 17.
A later, more powerful version of the Stearman,
the Model 76, was purchased by Argentina, Brazil and
the Philippines.
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 6
Stearman PT-17 Kaydet
Length: 25' 7.62 M
Height: 9' 2" 2.79 M
Wingspan: 32' 2" 9.80 M
Wingarea: 297.00 Sq Ft 27.59 Sq M
Empty Weight: 1936.00 lbs 878.00 Kg
Gross Weight: 2717.00 lbs 1232.00 Kg
Powerplant: Continental R-670-5, 220 hp
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 7
The Model
We have chosen the scale of 1:5 rendering
a model size that i easy to fly but also relatively
easy to transport. Both the upper and the lower
wing panels can be removed for transportation
whi ch gi ves very l i mi ted requi rement for
transportation size. With a .1.20 4-stroke engine
the airplane is capable of most of the manoeuvers
in the book but still as docile as you can demand
from a n advanced trainer.
The finished model is painted in 1939 livery
and further detailing can be made as per
documentation.
Specifications:
Wingspan cm 193
Wingspan inches 77.2
Length cm 149
Length inches 59.6
Weight grams 6600
Weight Lb/oz 14lb. 8 oz.
Wing surface dm 118 dm
Wing surface Sq.inch 1888 sq
Wing load g/dm 56 g/dm
Wing load oz/Sq 24 oz/sq
Engine 2-cycle .60 - .90
Engine 4-cycle .90 - 1.20
C/G fr. Lead.edge upper wing 15cm / 6
Covering and finish
The model is covered and painted from the
factory. Where the original had aluminum covering
panels, the model has the same. This also means
excellent acces to the various compartments in
the fuselage when installing or servicing the radio
equipment. When you have made changes in the
fire wall and adapted the dummy engine to fit in
front of the engine, you will have to cover the open
areas with fuel proof paint.
Installation of engine.
Our prototype was tried with an OS 1.20 FS
surcharge 4-stroke which gave more than ample
thrust. The engine mounts have been installed
for this size of engine and in an upright position
for several reasons.
The need for adequate cooling. The access
to the glow plug easily and finally to get the
carburator in line with the center of the tank.
1. Drill the holed for the engine in the "
plywood ingine mount. Install blind nuts underside
of the plywood aligned with the holes
2. Drill the holes from the tank to the
carburator, pressure tap and the filling cap.
3. Install the engine and connect the throttle
servo.
No side or down thrust is deemed necessary. You
can use an flexible exhaust manifold to lead the
exhaust out under the center bottom panel to give
a better apperance.
Installation of servos, tank, battery and
receiver.
The aileron servo is installed in the cockpit
flooring. The elevator servo and the rudder
servo are also installed in the cockpit flooring.
The trottle servo is installed behind the
engine as well as the tank, booth on the
engineboard.
Battery pack and receiver are positioned
in the upper part of the tray.
The switch can be mounted on the front
cockpit instrument panel.
1. Attach a ball link head to joystick and
rudder bar in the appropriate holes. You may have
to enlarge the holes to take the screw from the
ball link (Dubro #189 set of 2).
2. Install the servos for rudder and elevator
and temporarily connect the servo arms to the
ball links. Deflection for elevator is 20 up and
down and for rudder 30 right and left..
3. Install and connect the throttle servo in
the fashion you prefer.
4. Install the tank in the available space at
the right side next to the rudder and throttle
servos..
5. Install the aileron servo in the bulkhead.
The aileron connecting rods attaches to the servo
arm. Deflection of the ailerons should be 20 up
and down. The servo arm should be fashioned to
take 2 clevices approx 1/8" apart.
6. Install the radio switch on the dash board.
7. Place the receiver in the upper part of the
tray and the battery pack in front of the lower
firewall, wrapped in foam rubber and secured with
rubber bands.
Assembly of the PT17
All parts have been assembled at the factory
and only disassembled for transportation.
Rudder wires and elevator pushrod are
factory adjusted but may need some tensioning
adjustment after a while. Aileron bellcranks are
permanently adjusted to the connecting rod.
Assembly of the tail unit
See detail drawing.
1. Attach horizontal tail(3) to fuselage using 3 pcs
4 mm nylon countersunk screws. Make sure that
stabilizer is flat against fuselage.
2. connect the elevator control rod to the elevator
horn.
3. Insert vertical fin and secure to tailpost bracket
and front of stabilizer. Attach rudder on to the fin
with hinge pins.
4. Secure the assembly with screws to the
stabilizer and to the tailpost. Attach the top
stabilizer fairing and secure with screws.
5. Attach fin and stabilixer support wires to top of
fin using 2 mm screw and nut (from top side of
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 8
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 9
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 10
an integrated part of the fuselage. The wheels
are secured with locking rings and the wheel caps
are pushed onto the wheel hubs.
Balancing
The center of gravity / balancing point should be
approx. 15 cm (6") measured from the leading
edge on the upper wing. Make adjustments if
necessary.
Flying
The prototype was flown with a OS 1.20
4-stroke FS which provides ample thrust. Let the
engine swing a 18x6 propeller if possible. This
gives better thrust outside the big dummy engine
and reduces sound to a more realistic level.
Flying characteristics are very forgiving
and will fly hapily on half trottle. Set the elevator
at zero angle for the first flight but be prepared
to give down elevator if the model climbs out too
steep. During the initial take off run you have to
compensate for the torque with right rudder but
as the speed builds up the rudder is returned to
neutrual. This model should fly of the ground and
not be pulled.
The landing approach can be rather
steep as per prototype but the flare out needs
almost full up elevator. Maintain directional
heading and remember, the aircraft has a
stearable tailwheel.
Happy landings!
stabilizer to top of fin).
6. Secure and tighten all screws and nuts.
Check the action of elevator and rudder. The
elevator is actuated with the joy-stick and the
rudder with the rudder bar.
Assembly of wing panels
1. Push the lower wing halves into the holes
in the fuselage.
2. Attach the upper wing center section using
the 4 Allen 6-32 screws supplied (note that the
front screws are longer and the rear screws
shorter). Attach ball links or clevices to the aileron
push rods. Connect the aileron push rods to the
servo in the fuselage.. Check the movement of
the ailerons. 20 up and 15 down throw.
3. Install the interplane struts. Connect the
flying wires and the landing wires. Attach the fly-
ing wires in place. Attach the landing wires in
place. Adjust if necessary, the rear lower
incidence adjustment screw and the fasten this
assembly to the bracket on the lower wing using
2 mm screw and locknut.
Should you need to replace a wire, use the
attachment method indicated in the picture. When
crimping the cerulet (sleeve) use a flat plier, press
firmly and don't cut through the wire.
Landing gear
Install the wheel shafts and secure with the
Allen socket locking screws. The landing gear is
completely built up with oleo spring action and is
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 11
Rudder and elevator servos in the flooring
of front cockpit
Aileron servo in the
flooring of rear
cockpit. Note the
servo arm with 2
attachment point
for the clevices of
the aileron push
rods.
Push rods from the servos attach to the
rudder bar and the control column.
The tailwheel is
coupled to the
rudder bar and has
50% throw of the
rudder
The OS 1.2 engine blends nicely with the
dummy engine
Stearman Kaydet PT17 ARF 12
What is in the box:
The ARF kit contains the parts shown in the picture.
All the parts are covered and painted. All the rigging
wires are supplied in the correct lengths and need
only to be clipped to their positions.
1. Fuselage with wing cabane
2. Landing gear
3. Scale wheels
4. Dummy engine with mount
5. Scale propeller
6. Tail wheel assy (stearable).
7. Fin with tailfairing /rudder
8. Stabilizer / elevator
9. Upper wing panels
10. Lower wing panels
11. Interplane struts
12. Wires, turnbuckles and hardware for assembly
(not shown)
13. Assembly manual with scale
documentation
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P.O.Box 1229, Cebu City Centrl. Postoffice
Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Visiting address:
3343 Gun-Ob, Kinalumsan,
Lapu-Lapu City 6015, PHILIPPINES
Phone +63 32-340 0772, Cellular +63 917-3200 985
Telefax +63 32-340 7131, E-mail: kwmairpl@gsilink.com
Website http://www.kwmairpl.com.ph
K&W
Model
Airplanes Inc.
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