Although it was not the last military biplane to be designed and built in USA, Boeing's Stearman 'Kaydet' will be remembered as the last to go into production. It was remarkable too, as the first aircraft to meet the specifications of both US Army and US Navy - never before had the two services, with their strong rivalries, completely reconciled their differences in requirements. The 'Kaydet' was a biplane in the classic American style, with its radial engine (strange that it was never cowled -maybe for serviceability considerations), minimum upper dihedral and heavy stagger. Also characteristically American were the large cockpits with a high seat position, necessitating ample windscreens, long travel undercarriage and a beautifully smooth exterior and well finished. Developed from the NS-1 of 1934, the Lycoming powered PT-13 appeared two years later. Twenty-six machines were delivered to the Army, followed, in 1937, by 92 PT-13As, with slightly increased power and different instrumentation. Another increase in power distinguished the PT-13B, 255 of which were built in 1940 to meet the demands of an expanding training programme. Six PT-13As were re-engined to become -13Cs. The same 220 h.p. Lycoming engine was chosen for the PT-13D (Navy N2S-5), of which 1,768 were built, the majority going to the Navy.
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