The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, Ohio, is scheduled to host a gathering of Stearman biplanes June 19-21, with more than 40 aircraft expected to take part in the event. Aircraft are slated to begin arriving on June 19 and will remain on display through June 20 before departing on the morning of June 21. The fly-in is expected to bring together a wide range of Stearman aircraft, many carrying paint schemes associated with their military and civilian service histories.
Visitors will be able to view the aircraft from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in the display area behind Memorial Park. Pilots and owners are also expected to be on hand throughout the event, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about the aircraft and the restoration work that keeps many of them flying. The Stearman traces its origins to the early 1930s and was designed by aircraft manufacturer Lloyd Stearman. During WWII, the type became one of the primary training aircraft used by the U.S. Army Air Forces. Thousands of military pilots received their initial flight instruction in Stearmans before moving on to more advanced aircraft destined for combat and operational service.
Known for its rugged construction and open-cockpit layout, the aircraft remained in widespread use after the war and became a familiar sight in civilian aviation, particularly in agricultural and recreational flying. The June gathering offers a chance to see a large number of Stearmans in one location while exploring the role the aircraft played in training a generation of military aviators. Because the event involves operational historic aircraft displayed outdoors, schedules may change due to weather conditions, maintenance requirements, or other operational factors. For more information and to support the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, click on this link: www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
