Our Story:
The Big Easy Wing is proud to be the caretaker of the PT-17 Stearman (N1617M), which is an iconic biplane that served as the basic trainer for the men of the “Greatest Generation.” This colorful Lady has a long and rich history of serving in the military, supporting agriculture growth and adorning the sky in aerobatic shows. This Lady has soared the skies for over 75 years. Now, it has become the passion of our wing to preserve her legacy and her living history for future generations to come. Our lady needs extensive repairs.
Our goal is to raise $45,000.00
This will allow for the overhaul of the
220HP Continental radial engine ~ $36K
Hoses: $1k
Prop: $1.4k
Avionics:
Garmin GTR225 Com $1.8k
Garmin GTX345 WAAS ADS-B Transponder $5.2k
Supplies: $1k
Any amount of donations would be greatly appreciated.
This is our watch, but we need your help. We cannot do this without your generosity. We want future generation to turn heads skyward in search of the rumble of her radial engine, to awe her classic shape and colorful design and to one day have a desire to ride in this Lady’s open cockpit. Please help us return this iconic Lady back to the sky in her full glory by contributing to this fundraiser. Thanks!
Unit (Big Easy Wing) History--April of 2017, the Commemorative Air Force commissioned its 76th unit in the United States, The Big Easy Wing of Southeast Louisiana. In August of 2018, with nearly 100 members, two bases of operation on both sides of Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans, the CAF awarded us the PT 17 Stearman.
PT-17 Stearman (N1617M) Serial Number 75-8498 History • War Service-- Accepted by the U.S. Navy on September 16, 1943 and was initially assigned to the Naval Aviation Primary Training (NAPT) base at Ottumwa, Iowa. Our Lady then went to the pool at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi, Texas where she remained in service until December 1946. She then went to Instructors School at Rodd Field near Corpus, to the Naval Aviation Basic Training (NABT) organization also near Corpus through 1947 until assigned to the pool of aircraft at Corpus Christi NAS, Texas. This aircraft never dropped a bomb nor fired a shot, but it trained the young men to apply their skill in flying the fighting warbirds of WWII. She was stricken from the Navy inventory September 30, 1947.
* Agricultural Service (1950-?)
* Owned by Dave Oreck/Bill Elder(1980's)
* Owned by Newscaster Bill Elder of WWL TV New Orleans, LA (1990’s)
* Owned by Carson Baker of Crestwood KY (2001-2006)
* Owned by Warbird SkyVenture Inc. of Gallatin TN (2006-2010)
* Owned by Gyspy Barnstormers of Willington, DE (2010-2017)
* Owned by Jetran, Inc. of Horseshoe Bay, TX (2017-2018)
* Own by American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum of the Commemorative Air Force 2018
* Awarded to the Big Easy Wing of CAF on August 22, 2018
As you see, we are missing a big chunk of our Lady's early history. Please contact us (info@bigeasywing.org) if you have any knowledge about her.
References
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum letter between Carson Baker and Dan Hagendorn on Dec 27, 2001 (retrieved Nov 18, 2018).
Phone Conversation with Jan Oreck, Nov 19, 2018.
Flight Aware Aircraft Registration, information (retrived Nov 19, 2018).
