History

The Stearman (Boeing) Model 75 is a biplane used as a military trainer aircraft, of which at least 10,626 were built in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.[1] Stearman Aircraft became a subsidiary of Boeing in 1934. Widely known as the Stearman, Boeing Stearman or Kaydet, it served as a primary trainer for the USAAF, the USN (as the NS & N2S), and with the RCAF as the Kaydet throughout World War II. After the conflict was over, thousands of surplus aircraft were sold on the civilian market. In the immediate postwar years they became popular as crop dusters, sports planes, and for aerobatic and wing walking use in airshows.

History adapted from Wikipedia

First Impressions

The moulding is crisp and clean, well up to the standard of Revell's recent releases. The kit is moulded in their usual light grey, somewhat of a departure from the white of the first issue. This seems a bit puzzling given that both paint schemes are light colours. White primer will definitely be necessary for this model. This release has the larger engine, enclosed cowl and raised headrest commonly fitted to airshow Stearmans in their civilian careers.

Fuselage

The fuselage is moulded in left and right halves without the nose. The landing gear and cabane struts are moulded with the fuselage halves. Care must be taken not to damage them during construction, but they will provide a correctly alligned model which for biplanes is critical. The cockpits are nice and busy, with sharp detail. An entire fuselage cage is built first and then the fuselage halves assembled around it in a very neat bit of engineering.

Wings

The wings are provided in the traditional top and bottom halves. Strut mounting pads are very robust and positive. The ailerons are moulded in the neutral position but may be easily cut away and posed should the modeller desire.

Engine

The engine is a generic radial complete with a full cowling. The nose pieces completely replace the nose of the military version. A more robust Hamilton Standard controllable pitch propeller is provided.

Empennage

The tailplanes are moulded with the elevators in place, but once again may easily be posed. The rudder may also be posed.

Landing gear

Optional wheel pants are provided for the airshow performers. As previously mentioned, the struts are part of the fuselage mouldings which sets the angle properly.

Accuracy

I don't compare models to drawings or published measurements. When assembled it will look like a Stearman.

Decals and Markings

Two generic airshow schemes are provided. The first is in overall cream or light yellow, with red trim on the leading edges and struts. The second is white with light blue checkers on the fuselage and blue wings.

Inexperienced modellers will find the paint scheme instructions confusing, because neither scheme provides the main colours of the airframe. The modeller must deduce them from the tiny little pictures on the side of the box. That little niggle aside, the decals are very crisp and look to be of Revell's usual high standard.

Related Reviews

PT-17.


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