<hi style=afpcap>The Stearman Aircraft Company produced a biplane trainer as a private venture. After a protracted evaluation, the Army placed orders for the PT-13 version in 1936 with other contracts being placed during the years that followed. In 1942 the Army and Navy agreed to standardise their primary trainer with the PT-13 being selected. The PT-17 illustrated, differed from the previous version as it was powered by a Continental R-670-5 engine. The PT-17 was the most numerous of the Stearman family with almost 3,000 constructed for the Army, with others supplied to the Navy and to export customers.</hi>