The Lone Star Flight Museum recently acquired a 1943 Boeing PT-17 Stearman. The aircraft will join the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-25 Mitchell as part of the museum’s flight experience program.
The Lone Star Flight Museum recently acquired a 1943 Boeing PT-17 Stearman. The World War II vintage trainer is currently on display at the museum’s Galveston facility.
The Stearman is known for its role as a primary trainer during WWII teaching basic flight maneuvers to the majority of American pilots. The aircraft’s simple, rugged construction and nimble handling made the Stearman loved by those who trained on it. More than 8,500 Stearmans rolled off the assembly line in Wichita, Kansas; thousands were assigned to Army and Navy bases in Texas. After the war, many Stearmans soldiered on for decades as crop-dusters and air show performers. Collectors worldwide now seek the remaining examples of this classic aircraft.
“We’re very excited to add a Stearman to our collection of historic WWII aircraft,” said LSFM President Larry Gregory. “This open-cockpit biplane was a staple of military aviation in the 1940s and continues today as a classic aircraft that symbolizes the American dream of flight.”
The Stearman will join the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-25 Mitchell as part of the museum’s flight experience program later this year.
“A flight in an open-cockpit aircraft is an experience to remember,” Gregory said. “It’s aviation in its purest form and a great way to view Galveston as well.”
Each flight experience lasts about 35 minutes, of which 20-25 minutes will be in the air. Prices are $425 for the B-17, $375 for the B-25 and $225 for the Stearman. Passengers must be 18 or over and some restrictions apply. Discounts for museum members are available.
The Lone Star Flight Museum contains an award-winning collection of more than 40 historically significant aircraft expertly maintained to flying standards. A few notable aircraft in the collection include the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell, P-47 Thunderbolt, F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, SBD Dauntless and Supermarine Spitfire.
For more information and to book your historic flight, call the Lone Star Flight Museum at 888-FLY-LSFM (359-5736) or visit on the web at [htt://www.lsfm.org].