Stearman C2

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C2
Alaskan Airways Stearman.jpg
Stearman C2B on display in Anchorage, Alaska.
Role3-seat commercial biplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Stearman Aircraft Corp.
First flightMarch 1927
Introduction1927
StatusRetired
Number built33
Developed from Stearman C1
Developed into Stearman C3

The Stearman C2 is an American single-engine three-seat open-cockpit utility biplane, and was the second aircraft type produced by the Stearman Aircraft company. The aircraft first flew in 1927.

Contents

Design and development

The airframe of the C2 was almost identical to the model C1. Aside from the engine installation, differences included an aileron push-pull rods that actuated the single pair of ailerons on the upper wings via torque tubes and bell cranks internal to the upper wings rather than using ones connected to the lower wings. Later C-series Stearmans retained this simpler system. [1]

Various types of engines were installed, including both air cooled radials and water-cooled V-8s. Unlike the C1 that had the radiator mounted in the nose, C2s with radiators had them under the fuselage between the undercarriage legs. [1]

When the type certification process resulted in the similar C3 becoming the first certified Stearman aircraft, some C2 aircraft were modified to C3B standard.

The most numerous version was the C2B which had a Wright J-5 radial engine.

The C2M ("M" for mail) was designed to meet the requirements of Varney Airlines, and Western Air Express, included having the front cockpit covered over and turned into a mail hold. [1]

Production

In total, 33 C2s were manufactured with the first three built in the original Stearman plant in Venice, California.

Variants

C2/C2A
90 hp (67 kW) liquid-cooled Curtiss OX-5 water-cooled V-8 engine. [2] Five built, one later converted to C2B standard. Individual airframes were used to test various engines, including the C2C's Wright-built Hispano-Suiza 8 (NC3440), the C2B's Wright Whirlwind (NC3922) and a Salmson radial engine.
C2B
200 hp (150 kW) Wright J-5 Whirlwind air-cooled radial. At least 20 built, plus one C2A converted to a C2B. At least 9 C2Bs were upgraded to C3B or C3MB standard to be certified, a requirement for continued use with commercial operations. [2]
C2C
180 hp (130 kW) Wright-built Hispano-Suiza 8 water-cooled V-8. None built, but one C2 was test fitted with engine before being converted to C3C standard.
C2H (1929 ATC 137)
280 hp (210 kW) Menasco-Salmson air-cooled radial. One custom aircraft built, registered as NC5600, [2] with experimental "speed wings". Later converted to C3B.
C2K (1929 ATC 2-53)
125 hp (93 kW) Siemens-Halske SH-12 radial engine. 2 built, both later converted to C3 standard. [2]
C2MB
Mailplane with front cockpit as mail hold with a 220 hp (160 kW) Wright J-5 radial. [2] No aircraft were registered as C2MBs and no ATC number was issued which would have been mandatory for commercial mail operations.

Operators

The majority were operated by sportsmen, and the type was marketed specifically to hunters. Commercial operators included:

Aircraft on display

Specifications (Stearman C2B)

Stearman C2B 3-view drawing from Aero Digest May 1928 Stearman C2 3-view Aero Digest May 1928.png
Stearman C2B 3-view drawing from Aero Digest May 1928

Data fromBowen Jr., R. Sydney, ed. (21 May 1928). "The Stearman biplane". Aviation Week. Vol. XXIV, no. 21. New York City: Aviation Publishing Corp. pp. 1454, 1470–1471, 1479–1480.

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

(Partial listing, only covers most numerous types)

References

  1. 1 2 3 Phillips, Edward (2006). Stearman Aircraft: A Detailed History. North Branch, MN: specialtypress. pp. 36–39 & 198. ISBN   978-1580070874.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Eckland, K. O. (14 July 2008). "Stearman". Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 16 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ↑ "1928 STEARMAN C2B". Alaska Aviation Museum. Alaska Aviation Museum. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  4. ↑ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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