Mexican Stearmans in active service?

[jetsrforkids]

Over the years I’ve heard that Mexico operated Stearmans as trainers well into the 1980’s, but I’ve never been able to find any documentation on it. Anyone know when they retired their last Stearman?

[Tulio]

A number of 35 units is often mentioned as having seen service with the Mexican AF.. These include PT-13 and PT-17. Oficially retired in 1994, several were kept in flying status for airshow work, demonstrations, etc.

I believe that I have some photos of Stearmans in Mexican AF service. The Mexican navy is reported to have operated three of these aircraft.

Saludos,


Tulio

[jetsrforkids]

Wow, 1994, that’s longer than I thought. Any idea how many were left flying when they were retired?

[marine air]

There’s a video of a Guy doing aerobatics off the beach in Mexico. Very sloppy and he eventually ends up in the water. Taken a few years ago.

[Tulio]

There’s a video of a Guy doing aerobatics off the beach in Mexico. Very sloppy and he eventually ends up in the water. Taken a few years ago.

The pilot was an American, a Mr. Keller, living in Guatemala. The crash was not in Mexico. The Stearman was registered TG- JEN.

Saludos,


Tulio

[Tulio]

Here, you will find plenty of photos of Mexican Stearmans:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Stearman+mexi ... &ia=images

Saludos,


Tulio

[OD/NG]

I would love to learn more detail about the end of the Stearman's service in the Mexican Air Force. Can anyone provide any more details? Numbers, squadrons, who were learning to fly, was there a transition from it being an actual "training squadron" to it being a "heritage" aircraft for displays and/or special ceremonies? Etc. So many questions.

Surely this has to be the last country in the world that used the Stearman in actual non-ceremonial service, correct?

[Tulio]

If I may, I would suggest the book "Central American and Caribbean Air Forces" by Dan Hagedorn. It is a little dated now, but still an excellent source for information.

Like everyone else, you would have to do web-searches and join websites, for the information you seek. Unfortunately, I do not have the time / access to the web that I used to have, so I am unable to provide you with any additional information.

Best of luck.

Saludos,



Tulio

[Tulio]

The photos of TG-JEN are credited to the respective photographers.

One, shows the airplane at an airshow in El Salvador.
The other, shows the remains of the Stearman.

I saw him perform through the years, and to my kinda experienced eye, he was a capable pilot. I don't know what happened when he crashed, and I have yet to find out why his performance that day, was judged to be "sloppy"

I believe that the pilot survived, but I do not know that factually.


Saludos,


Tulio

Attachments

Stearman de Guatemala.jpg (106.38 KiB) Viewed 1505 times

Restos del TG-JEN 092014 002.jpg (83.19 KiB) Viewed 1505 times

[OD/NG]

If I may, I would suggest the book "Central American and Caribbean Air Forces" by Dan Hagedorn. It is a little dated now, but still an excellent source for information.

Like everyone else, you would have to do web-searches and join websites, for the information you seek. Unfortunately, I do not have the time / access to the web that I used to have, so I am unable to provide you with any additional information.

Best of luck.

Saludos,



Tulio

Thanks Tulio, I'll check out that book, appreciate the referral.

[OD/NG]

The photos of TG-JEN are credited to the respective photographers.

One, shows the airplane at an airshow in El Salvador.
The other, shows the remains of the Stearman.

I saw him perform through the years, and to my kinda experienced eye, he was a capable pilot. I don't know what happened when he crashed, and I have yet to find out why his performance that day, was judged to be "sloppy"

I believe that the pilot survived, but I do not know that factually.


Saludos,


Tulio

Two different views of videos of that crash here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC-GM1nHym0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCuCPeCUYnc

It was indeed sloppy flying.