In the annals of aviation history, there are those aircraft companies that pop on the scene and then disappear, while others last for decades, only to be swallowed up by larger companies, and then disappear. We may think that this is a modern phenomena what with the disappearance of McDonnell-Douglas, Grumman, North American, and many other companies, however, it has been an on-going process since the earliest days of aviation.

One of those names that was in the forefront of US aviation during the time between the world wars was Stearman. This story is one of rising from the ranks to eventually found a company of his own name in a town well known for aviation even today. As with many aircraft companies, Stearman was eventually enveloped into the Boeing conglomerate, probably one of the first.

We all know the Stearman name from the thousands of primary trainers his Wichita company built just prior to and during WWII, but the Stearman name was made in the early 1920s with a series of aircraft designed for Laird and Travel Air before setting out on his own to make rugged and superbly built mail planes and single engine passenger transports. Along the way Stearman tried his hand at a twin engine attack aircraft  and bomber trainer before settling back to produce his primary trainers that trained a huge percentage of all the pilots that flew and fought in World War II. After the war, his aircraft were bought by the hundreds from surplus dealers and, thanks to their ruggedness and simplicity of construction, many are still being flown today.

Edward H. Phillips covers the story of Lloyd Stearman and his associates from their first days until the end of WWII. You'll find a detailed history of every plane designed and flown by Stearman. The moves and expansion of the Stearman factory is well detailed with hundreds of quality photographs of every aircraft designed and built. A real bonus is the inclusion of nearly 100 color photos of Stearman aircraft past and present.

Overall, a fascinating book on the early days of US aviation and one of the most recognized aircraft still flying the skies. It is one that I can most highly recommend.

February 2006

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