Is this a N3N or a N2S

[Dan Jones]

That is waaaaaaaayyyyyyy too ugly to be a Stearman.

[N3Njeff]

Had 4 wisdom teeth pulled last wed so yep I was in the chair for a check on em. I dont think I have any pics of NAS Memphis when it comes to N3N's. Depending on when in 43 it was taken, being early or late winter hense how he is dressed would probably dictate the paint scheme, would love to see the side shot for a Bureau Number.

If its early 43, it should be Insignia Yellow with the smaller fuselage numbers. Later in 43 & 44 would you see color bands on N3N's but that would be at your larger facilities such as Corpus Christi TX. Somewhere I have a list of how N3N's served at NAS fields and I dont think that Memphis had a large quanity of N3N's on the field.

Good luck with finding a kit to build of the N3N. I know of only one kit that was ever produced and its 1/72 scale in vaccume form and its been LONG out of production. Every once in a while, you will see a unbuilt kit on Ebay.

Guess you could always get a desk model built that they sell on Ebay also. I still have not broke down to get one myself.

[Obergrafeter]

I got a gallon of Cub Yellow PolyThane..................ought to be close enough for any old N3N..they all look like Stearmans anyway!

[Adam Kline]

Still looking for the original side shot, but there is no tail in the picture. Just a big #53 done in a really nice outlined stencil. I think there were different versions of N3N from what I have read MKI thru MKIII. This plane has a headrest built into the back seat. does that help. I know the picture is here somewhere just have to find it.

[N3Njeff]

Over 100 dash -1's were made, They had a Different main gear design, only one -2 was made. I don't need to see the tail, it's a -3

[Randy Wilson]

For what it is worth, according to the info on NAS Memphis in United States Naval Air Stations by M. L. Shettle, Jr., the majority of the primary trainers used there were N2S Stearmans, NR Ryans (like PT-22) and N2T Timms. There is also mention of a few SNV Vultees for instructor instrument proficiency. There is no mention of N3N types. That doesn't mean there might have been some based there. Just FYI.

Randy

[CoastieJohn]

A two-fer pop quiz. I was going to ask if those are N3N's in the picture on the wall? After knowing the pic was taken circa 1933...I don't think the picture on the wall could be N3N's. Not sure what they would be? UO-4's????

That guy sitting down is a famous aviator. Guess who?

[The Inspector]

I'll raise, Richard Byrd?

[muddyboots]

Is that a Navy or Coast Guard uniform? Maybe the service would give you a clue.

[The Inspector]

Elmer Stone?

[CoastieJohn]

Elmer Stone?

Yup...excellent call! That is indeed LCDR Elmer Stone, USCG. One of the pilots on the Navy's NC-4, first plane to ever successfully cross the Atlantic in 1919. Amazing they could pull it off in that contraption.

Then taxing in Lisbon Bay....



Now in Pensecola....

[The Inspector]

Elmer Stone?

Yup...excellent call! That is indeed LCDR Elmer Stone, USCG. One of the pilots on the Navy's NC-4, first plane to ever successfully cross the Atlantic in 1919. Amazing they could pull it off in that contraption.

Then taxing in Lisbon Bay....



Now in Pensecola....

Thanks, but I have no desire to try and smoke a pony!

[Adam Kline]

Any idea if this is an N3N or N2S? This was my father in 1943 at Memphis Naval Air Station. Not sure why the fuselage looks darker then the wings if this is a Navy plane. It has a headrest too. Gear are unfaired suggesting N3N. Planes in background have similar scheme. This particular plane crashed and killed the instructor and student on a day my father wasn't flying.

[TheBoy]

Looks like a WACO UPF-7 to me.

[raconnel]

I agree, it's a WACO. It looks more Army than Navy though, with blue fuselage and yellow wings. Probably part of the CPT (Civilian Pilot Training) program.

Richard