Stearman returns to the air in France

Following meticulous work by its owner, a Stearman Kaydet has returned to European skies. Stearman Kaydet PT-13D 42-109320 (N65686) made its debut flight in France at Beauvais-Tillé airport on September 15, following extensive refurbishment. Owner Philippe Ciepala was at the controls for a successful first ‘sortie’. Built in 1943 for the USAAF it was soon transferred to the US Navy as N2S-5 43259, before entering private hands after the war. Acquired for crop-spraying work by Texan organisation Kimmel Aviation Services