N2S-2

The Stearman N2S-2 is a military version of the Stearman Model 75 biplane trainer, built by Stearman Aircraft for the United States Navy during the early 1940s. First delivered in 1939, the N2S-2 entered service as a primary flight‑training aircraft, replacing older wooden trainers and helping to prepare thousands of naval aviators for carrier operations in World War II. Powered by a 220 hp Continental R‑670‑7 radial engine, the aircraft features a rugged steel tube fuselage, fabric‑covered wooden wings, and a fixed tailwheel undercarriage. Its open tandem cockpits give both instructor and student excellent visibility, while the simple, forgiving handling characteristics make it ideal for teaching basic airmanship, stall recovery, and formation flying. Production numbers were modest—approximately 300 units—but the type proved durable and was retained in service well after the war, often transferred to civilian flight schools and sport‑aviation clubs. The N2S‑2’s significance lies in its contribution to the rapid expansion of the Navy’s pilot pool, its influence on post‑war trainer design, and its lasting legacy as an iconic vintage biplane still flown at airshows worldwide. Today many N2S‑2 airframes are maintained in museums and private collections, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Stearman craftsmanship.