Stearman XBT 17

Design and development

The X-90 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with two-seats in tandem under an enclosed canopy. It had a fixed conventional landing gear and was powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Lycoming R-680 engine and first flew in 1940. It had wooden wings and a steel tube forward fuselage in order minimize use of aluminum. In 1942 the aircraft was re-engined with a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine and redesignated the Model X-91. The X-91 was evaluated by the United States Army Air Force as the XBT-17 but no more were built.

Variants

Stearman X-90

Prototype basic trainer with a 225 hp (168 kW) Lycoming R-680 engine.

Stearman X-91

The X-90 re-engined with a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine for USAAF evaluation.

Stearman XBT-17

United States Army Air Force designation for the X-91.

Specifications (XBT-17)

Data from

General characteristics

Crew: two

Length: 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)

Wingspan: 35 ft 9 in (10.90 m)

Wing area: 200 sq ft (19 m²)

Empty weight: 3,080 lb (1,397 kg)

Gross weight: 4,150 lb (1,882 kg)

Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 , 450 hp (340 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 190 mph (306 km/h; 165 kn)

Cruise speed: 160 mph (257 km/h; 139 kn)

Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)

Rate of climb: 1,300 ft/min (6.6 m/s)