1931 STEARMAN 4D "JR. SPEEDMAIL" - NC774H

Owner/Pilot: Ron Rex

The Model 4 "Jr. Speedmail" was first type certificated in 1929 and there were a total of forty built by the Stearman Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas.  Of the original forty aircraft, there are only seven flying in the world today.

The airplane is painted in the colors and logo of Western Air Express, a predecessor of TWA and of Western Air Lines.    For a biplane, it’s pretty fast, cruising at 135 miles per hour, and with 106 gallons of fuel on board and has an endurance of about five hours.   Unlike the PT-17 trainer Stearmans of WW II, it has a large front cockpit which will hold two passengers.

The Model 4 Stearman were designed to be used as airmail carriers and as executive transports.   A few were sold to wealthy Sportsmen Pilots and were used for deluxe personal transportation.   

Model 4s are pleasant to fly, with relatively light controls and plenty of power.   But because they have wide fuselages and low windshields, there is little forward visibility available, and most landings need to be made from a slip.