N2S-1

The Stearman N2S‑1 was the United States Navy’s designation for the Model 75 biplane trainer produced by Stearman Aircraft beginning in the mid‑1930s. First delivered in 1934, the aircraft quickly became the standard primary trainer for both the Navy and the Marine Corps, and many were pressed into service during World War II. Powered by a 220‑horsepower Continental R‑670 radial engine, the N2S‑1 featured a sturdy welded‑steel tube fuselage, wooden wings covered in fabric, and a fixed, tail‑wheel landing gear. Its open tandem cockpits gave instructors a clear view of student actions, while the simple, rugged construction tolerated the harsh training environment of carrier decks and airfields alike. The biplane’s generous wing area provided forgiving low‑speed handling, ideal for novice pilots learning basic flight controls, take‑offs, and landings. Over 5,000 N2S‑1s were built, and the type contributed directly to the preparation of thousands of aviators who later flew combat aircraft in the Pacific theater. After the war, surplus N2S‑1s entered the civilian market, where they remain popular as aerobatic sport planes and living examples of classic American aviation heritage. Today, many are preserved in museums and airshows, showcasing the timeless design and enduring appeal of the aircraft.