Hobby Master 1:48 Air Power Series Diecast Model

Boeing-Stearman PT-17 Kaydet – 4 BFTS (British Flight Training School), Mesa, Arizona, early 1940s

1:48 Scale.  Length: 6.2”.  Wingspan: 8”


Limited production of approximately 500 models worldwide

At the beginning of WWII Britain knew they would need to train a large number of pilots so flying and aircrew training schools were set up across Great Britain. However, with German air attacks the need for schools outside Great Britain was realized and schools began to open in all parts of the British Commonwealth as well as 7 in the U.S.A. One such school was 4BFTS (British Flight Training School) established in Mesa, Arizona in June 1941 and one type of aircraft used was the Boeing PT-17.

Stearman Aircraft Company produced a biplane trainer-aircraft called the Model 70. In 1935 the US Navy ordered the Model 70 with a Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine designated the NS-1. Boeing Airplane bought Stearman and gave the Model 70 a Lycoming R-6805-5 radial engine making it a Model 75. In 1936 the US Army Air Corps placed an order for the Model 75 and designated it PT-13. With a Continental R-670-5 engine it became the PT-17. The RCAF labeled it the PT-27 Kaydet with Kaydet becoming the universally accepted name.

The Stearman PT-17 Kaydet was easy to fly, fairly rugged and a good primary teaching aircraft for new pilots. It gained the nickname “Yellow Peril” and after World War II many Kaydets were used for recreational flying and crop dusting. The PT-17 Kaydet on display at the American Air Museum, Duxford, England, painted as 42-17786/25, is in fact mainly 41-8169 c/n 75-1728 with some parts from G-BRTK c/n 75-5949, formerly N16716 and 42-17786 BuAer 38728.


Hobby Master offers a wide selection of quality, pre-assembled, diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted to a high level of accuracy using specifications of the original aircraft. They are constructed with precision-made diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a PT-17 Kaydet features: