Stearman C3

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]

Stearman C3
Stearman C3B
Role	three-seat light commercial biplane
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Stearman Aircraft
Designer	Lloyd Stearman
First flight	1927
Status	a few are still airworthy
Primary user	air mail and commercial companies
Number built	179

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 and 225 hp, 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

 Peru

• Peruvian Air Force^{[citation needed]}

Aircraft on display

Stearman C3B in 1927 markings of Western Air Express airmail route CAM 12 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle

• Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington^[6]
• Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum has a 1928 model Stearman C3B NC8830^[7]

Specifications (C3B)

Data from ^[8]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 2 passengers
• Length: 24 ft 0 in (7.32 m)
• Wingspan: 35 ft 0 in (10.68 m)
• Height: 9 ft 0 in (2.75 m)
• Empty weight: 1,650 lb (748 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,650 lb (1,202 kg)
• Powerplant: × Wright J5 , 220 hp (160 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 126 mph (203 km/h, 109 kn)
• Cruise speed: 108 mph (174 km/h, 94 kn)
• Range: 620 mi (1,000 km, 540 nmi)
• Rate of climb: 1,000 ft/min (5.1 m/s)

See also

• Aviation portal
• US portal

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Alexander Eaglerock
• American Eagle A-101
• Brunner-Winkle Bird
• Buhl-Verville CA-3 Airster
• Command-Aire 3C3
• Parks P-1
• Pitcairn Mailwing
• Spartan C3
• Swallow New Swallow
• Travel Air 2000 and 4000
• Waco 10

Related lists

• List of aircraft
• List of civil aircraft

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 December 27, 2018.
5. Grey, C.G., ed. (1931). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. pp. 317c–318c.
6. Museum of Flight. "Stearman C-3B - Manufacturer was Stearman Aircraft Company". Museumofflight.org. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
7. Ken Olsson. "Our Stories". Waaamuseum.org. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
8. Simpson 2001, p. 521.

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.

External links

Media related to Stearman C3 at Wikimedia Commons

• The Stearman C-3 by Peter M. Bowers