Over 10,000 Model 70-76 series aircraft were built between 1933 and 1945. These aircraft served the Navy, Army, and many other air arms during WWII and post war as primary trainers. The major production version, the Model 75 was built as PT-13, PT-17, PT-18, and PT-27 for the Army and as the N2S for the Navy. Post war over 4000 Stearman biplanes were re- engined with 450 hp. Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp radials and converted for agricultural dusting/ spraying. While technically built by Boeing's Wichita Division, these rugged trainers are universally known as Stearmans. Many still fly today as prized antiques.

The Planes of Fame N2S3 Kaydet was delivered to the navy from Wichita in June 1943. It served at Glenview, IL, with Naval Air Primary Training Command. In the early part of 1946 it became a maintenance training airframe. It was stricken from the Navy in May 1946. Its history between 1946 and 1977 in unclear, as logbooks are missing. In 1978 it was rebuilt to standard configuration. It flies today in the "yellow peril" markings of Naval Air Training. Visitors to the Museum can purchase a ride in this open cockpit biplane and relive flying as it was in the 1930's.