Boeing/Stearman N2S Kaydet for Sale — The Navy's Yellow Peril
The Boeing/Stearman N2S Kaydet — nicknamed "Yellow Peril" by the naval aviators who trained in it, partly for its bright yellow paint scheme and partly for its demanding ground handling characteristics — is the US Navy's designation for the Stearman Model 75 biplane trainer that taught thousands of naval aviators the foundational skills they needed to fly the fighters and torpedo bombers of World War II. While mechanically similar to the Army Air Corps' PT-13 and PT-17 variants, the N2S Kaydet carries the proud heritage of the Naval Air Training Command's primary pilot training program, which graduated aviators who would go on to fly Hellcats, Corsairs, and Avengers in some of the most demanding carrier combat operations in history.
N2S Variants
The N2S designation encompasses several sub-variants distinguished primarily by their powerplant: the N2S-1 and N2S-2 with Continental R-670 radials, the N2S-3 and N2S-4 with Lycoming R-680 engines, and the N2S-5 with Continental R-670-5. All share the fundamental open-cockpit biplane configuration that made the Stearman both challenging and effective as a primary trainer. The aircraft's demanding tailwheel ground handling, which eliminated the less-committed students from naval aviation training, was deliberately maintained as a screening mechanism.
Find Your Stearman N2S on Airplane Trade
Browse Boeing/Stearman N2S Kaydet aircraft for sale on Airplane Trade from verified sellers worldwide. Restored Navy trainer examples, airshow aircraft, and agricultural conversions available. Connect with sellers who honor the N2S's unique naval aviation heritage and understand the care these historic aircraft require.