USAAF PT-17 Stearman N38940 2024-06-07

This is a repaint only, for the payware Vertigo Studios Stearman Vol.1 set. This repaint depicts the restored Stearman PT-17 N38940, owned/operated by Paul Bennett, based at Priory Farm, Norfolk, England. The aircraft was manufactured as USAAF 41-8263, and from 1941 until February 1944 the aircraft was used continually, despite being involved in 4 separate training accidents, with a 5th accident taking it out of service altogether. The remains of the aircraft were restored, with the aircraft first flying again in 1977, and later, sold to Paul Bennett in 1992, the aircraft was restored again, to factory-original award-winning condition and finished in the same all-silver color scheme it would have had in 1944. The contrast between the metal and fabric surfaces on this aircraft is period-authentic, as although the fabric surfaces were coated in silver dope, the metal panels were anodized and left bare. Two versions of the repaint are included, with one featuring the temporary 445th Bomb Group tail markings the aircraft sported in 2006.