The Aircraft

The Boeing Stearman Model 75 is an American biplane formerly used as Boeing’s primary World War II military training aircraft.

The Stearman is a charismatic vintage aircraft that commands attention, by way of illustration, the Stearman has even made it to Hollywood: recall the iconic movie involving a Stearman in the Crop Duster scene filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in his 1959 classic film ‘North by North West’  and  Tom Cruise, renowned for his Mission Impossible Franchise, chose to take to the skies for draw-dropping scenes in a Stearman for the eighth instalment of the series. In one amazing stunt, he is seen on a wing of an upside down Stearman! The aircraft also had a starring role in the ‘English Patient’.

 

Boeing Stearman A75N1 G-BAVO based at Breighton Aerodrome and affectionately known as the ‘Yorkshire Yankee’ was built in 1945. Its original identity is largely unknown, however it saw active military service before passing into private hands after the war. It came into the UK in 1973 and has since flown with several owners under the UK registration G-BAVO. 

​

It is the last biplane to be mass produced and is regularly referred to as the ‘Harley Davidson of the sky’. With its magnificent biplane construction, the Yorkshire Yankee takes you straight back to the pioneering age of aviation. It’s vigorous flame design accommodates 2 seats for pilot and passenger and is powered by one of the most widely used radial aircraft engines – the Continental W-670-6N.