Stearman C-3B
As air mail services increased in the United States, small companies with US Mail contracts needed an aircraft that could operate from virtually anywhere--fields, roads, and grass strips. Stearman modified its C-2 design to produce the C-3 in 1927.
The C-3 retained the high lift and superb short-field landing of the standard biplane, but with reinforced landing gear, a larger fuel tank and cargo compartment, and provision for two passengers to ride in front of the cockpit. Besides delivering mail, the C-3 could act as a small airliner, not unlike the commuter aircraft of today--though the passengers were far more uncomfortable.
The C-3 would serve in this role into the 1930s, but its career was comparatively short, as airlines moved to more dedicated airliners. Those that were sold off were often used as cropdusters. 179 were built, and at least two still exist.
This Stearman C-3B (so designated because it used a Wright engine) is in the colors of Western Air Express, the forerunner of Western Airlines (now part of Delta). It is an original model, and in theory still airworthy, though it was retired to the Museum of Flight in 1986.
Stearman C-3B
As air mail services increased in the United States, small companies with US Mail contracts needed an aircraft that could operate from virtually anywhere--fields, roads, and grass strips. Stearman modified its C-2 design to produce the C-3 in 1927.
The C-3 retained the high lift and superb short-field landing of the standard biplane, but with reinforced landing gear, a larger fuel tank and cargo compartment, and provision for two passengers to ride in front of the cockpit. Besides delivering mail, the C-3 could act as a small airliner, not unlike the commuter aircraft of today--though the passengers were far more uncomfortable.
The C-3 would serve in this role into the 1930s, but its career was comparatively short, as airlines moved to more dedicated airliners. Those that were sold off were often used as cropdusters. 179 were built, and at least two still exist.
This Stearman C-3B (so designated because it used a Wright engine) is in the colors of Western Air Express, the forerunner of Western Airlines (now part of Delta). It is an original model, and in theory still airworthy, though it was retired to the Museum of Flight in 1986.