Stearman Aircraft
1 types ยท 0 airframes
Pre-1950 Narrative
On 10 December 1926, Lloyd Stearman as president, Fred Hoyt as vice president, and George Lyle as secretary, chartered Stearman Aircraft, Inc. Four C1 and C2 biplanes were built before production moved back to Wichita in 1927. The first aircraft constructed in the Wichita factory was a C2B, while adjacent to the factory was a 1390 foot runway. On 6 September 1927, the company charter was filed with the State of Kansas, and primary shareholders included Stearman, Short, Dillon, and Innes, plus H.M. Steinbuschel and J.O. Davidson, with Davidson also serving on the board of directors. In June 1928, the C2B airframe designation was changed to C3B, with a larger baggage compartment and oil tank. In January 1929, the first M-2 was delivered to Varney Air Lines.