Summary

We are nearing completion of the rebuild of Stearman 75-8291 for another thirty years of CAF service.  Your contributions, small and large, will make 2021 a special year to return to the air.

The CAF Welcomes Stearman 75-8291

Stearman 75-8291 was completed on August 11, 1942 and delivered to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas.  75-8291 was assigned Bureau Number 43197 and served through 1947.  It was sold as surplus and, like many Stearman trainers, worked for many years as a sprayer and duster.  Eventually retiring from agricultural business it was purchased by an individual ... and crashed in the Oquirrh Mountains of Utah on August 7th, 1986.  Stearman 75-8291 was purchased by the CAF twenty days later.

An extensive, two-year rebuild project returned Stearman 75-8291 to airworthiness with a flight on August 17, 1988.  Stearman 75-8291 became a regular, working CAF aircraft for thirty years with air show appearances, patron flights and prominent display in the Utah Wing's museum.

Fresh Wings

At the end of the 2015 flying season the wings were removed from 75-8291.  A group of volunteers lead by an experienced fabric technician and guided by an experienced Stearman builder removed the old fabric.  The wings were inspected, minor repairs were performed and new covering was applied finished with appropriate layers of adhesive, aluminum and paint.  The wings were reinstalled and 75-8291 was back-to-work for the 2016 season.

Unexpected Challenges

The plan was clear: at the end of 2016 75-8921 would be disassembled and the fuselage would be stripped, soda blasted, painted and recovered - 75-8921 would be back-to-work in 2017 for another thirty years.  New radios were purchased; a new electrical panel fabricated; new tires were purchased and components staged in anticipation ... then the turbulence began.

Part way through the fuselage project problems arose: the engine attachment points in the frame were discovered to be worn (and one severely stripped) and the impeller of the Pratt & Whitney R-985 was shredded (it had, at some point, ingested some metal).  75-8921 would need much more than fabric to become airworthy ... and our experienced Stearman builder had "Gone West".

Back on Track

The lack of experience and lack of finances were significant impediments for a few years.  Recently all of that changed.  We were introduced to a frame shop in Arizona that generously inspected and rebuilt the frame to a good-as-new condition.  We have also received generous donations to cover the inspection and repair of the R-985 and we are rapidly moving forward to complete it.

Even Little Donations Are Big Contributions

Our completion plan is in-place and we are excited for 75-8291 to be back-to-work again.  While major funding has paid for the wings, fabric, frame repair and 80% of the engine repair, your donations are still critical to complete the following components and tasks of the project:

• Remaining 20% of the engine repair costs.
• New AN hardware for reassembly.
• Wiring components.
• Brake lines.
• ADS-B out.
• Fuselage and empennage painting.
• Consultation services for 450hp engine and Standard category.
• Inspection services.

Even your small donations make a difference for the remaining miscellany when purchasing any hardware and paying for shipping.  Let's get 75-8291 flying for the 2021 season!

Stearman 75-8291 Challenge Coin: Donate $50 or more and receive a Stearman 75-8291 challenge coin.