Page 31 - Volume 13 Number 4

In a photograph dated Aug. 17, 1934, eight Navy NS-1 trainers had wing center sections and Wright J-5 engines installed before entering final assembly. (Kansas Aviation Museum)
the rigors of military pilot training. The welded steel tube fuselage was stressed to meet Army Air Corps specifications of +12G and -9G, which allowed execution of the many aerobatic maneuvers that were standard fare for a flying cadet. To power the latest Stearman design, a nine-cylinder Lycoming R-680 static, air-cooled radial engine rated at 210 horsepower was installed.
When the ship was completed, assembled, rigged and fully prepared for its first flight, the company’s test pilot David “Deed” Levy closely inspected every inch of the biplane. Satisfied that all was in order, he donned his parachute and climbed into the aft cockpit. Early on the morning of Jan. 1, 1934, the Model 70 took to the cold skies over Wichita. After wringing out the airplane, Levy landed and reported that it flew well and exhibited no bad habits.
Levy continued to fly the Model 70 and probed every aspect of its handling characteristics and performance. Late in January,
APRIL 2019
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 29