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.

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.

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. 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.

Although there were several versions of the C3, most were either the C3B and the C3R. A few C3s were approved for float operations.

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.

Variants
Data from:Airlife's World Aircraft, Aerofiles:Stearman Variants produced were:
 * C1
 * First of the C series powered by a Curtiss OX-5, later re-engined with a 240 hp Menasco-Salmson radial as the C1X. One built.


 * C2
 * Four aircraft similar to the C1, with the radiator mounted underneath, hydraulic shock absorbers and dual controls. Variously powered by 90 hp Curtiss OX-5, Wright-Hisso A, Wright Whirlwind and Menasco-Salmson radial engine.


 * C3B Sport Commercial
 * 220 hp Wright J5 radial engine.


 * C3C
 * 150 hp Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E engine.


 * C3D
 * 180 hp Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E engine. 1 delivered.


 * C3E
 * 190 hp Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E2 engine


 * C3F
 * 190 hp Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E3 engine.


 * C3G
 * 190 hp Wright Martin/Hispano Suiza E4 engine.


 * C3H
 * 260 hp Menasco-Salmson air-cooled engine.


 * C3I
 * 160 hp Curtiss C6 engine.


 * C3K
 * 128 hp Siemens-Halske Sh 12.


 * C3L
 * 130 hp Comet 7D radial engine. 1 built, later converted to C3B.


 * C3MB
 * C3B with forward cockpit enclosed for mail carrying.


 * C3P
 * 220 hp Wright J5 Whirlwind radial engine.


 * C3R Business Speedster
 * 225 hp Wright J6.

Operators

 * Peruvian Air Force
 * Peruvian Air Force

Aircraft on display

 * Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington
 * Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum has a 1928 model Stearman C3B NC8830

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