Test flight

This morning the blue and white 1942 Stearman bi-plane was given a final once-over before the test flight with pilot Jay Rud, right, of Sandwich, Ill., a nephew of Pete Nelson, who has his back to the camera. At left, Craig Kaufman, Pete?s son-in-law, and Jordan Miller, great-nephew to Pete, made the flight preparations a family affair. The historic plane, built in during World War II by the Stearman Aircraft Company of Wichita, Kan., is of the type of military trainer used by the U.S. Navy at the Naval Air Base in Ottumwa. The plane, owned by Nelson and Rud, had just had the Pratt and Whitney engine overhauled. Fairfield Municipal Airport mechanic Roger Lyons removed the engine for overhauling, then installed it. According to Lyons, ?Flying this plane is true flying. It is a lot of fun.? The Stearman Aircraft Company was formed in Wichita on Sept. 7, 1927, after operating for one year in Venice, Calif. The company?s first production contract for military trainers was for 41 U.S. Navy NS-1?s in 1934. It is the opinion of many that the NS-1 trainer is the airplane that saved Stearman from the great depression and the reason that there is a Boeing Wichita today.

For this photo, see the Friday, May 28, 2010, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.