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Price (approximate, standard
aircraft): $3,500
Fuel capacity (standard): 38
gallons
C2M:
Same as Model C2 except for:
Engine: Wright Aeronautical
Corporation J4, nine-cylinder
static, air-cooled radial, 200
horsepower.
Payload: 500 pounds
Fuel capacity: 68 gallons
Oil capacity: 8 gallons
Maximum ceiling: 18,000 feet
Maximum speed: 130 mph
Of the four airplanes built by
Stearman Aircraft, Inc., during its
brief operation in California, the
third (constructor/serial number
103) was designated Model C2M.
In February 1925, Representative
Clyde Kelly from Pennsylvania was
serving as the chairman of the
House Post Office Committee. He
introduced H.R. 7064 that became
known as the Contract Airmail Act.
The bill authorized the postmaster
general to contract carriage of the
mail by commercial air operators,
set rates and the amount of cash
subsidies that would be paid to the
carriers. In addition, H.R. 7064
would expand airmail service
without placing more burden on
the taxpayer. Its passage into law
would have an enormous impact
on development of the commercial
aviation industry in America. One of
the beneficiaries of that development
would be Stearman Aircraft, Inc.
Harry S. New was the postmaster
general in the administration of
President Calvin Coolidge. New was
enthusiastic about the prospects of
airmail service and urged carriers
to buy larger, faster airplanes that
could haul more mail across longer
distances. Initially, about 80 percent
of the money derived from the sale
of postage was paid to operators
of C.A.M. routes. The amount of
postage required to mail a letter
or parcel varied by the weight and
volume of mail and how many
“air zones” it would cross before
reaching its destination. Contract
airmail operators, however, quickly
realized that they would make more
money if they carried small but
heavy bulk mail and over a shorter
distance. The postmaster soon saw
what was happening, and in June
1926 the Kelly Act was amended to
Rear view of the Model C2 reveals the single fuel tank in the
center section that held 38 gallons. Note long span of the
ailerons and single-bay design – a feature that was standard
on many light aircraft of the day. (Wichita State University Libraries and
Archives, Department of Special Collections)
MARCH 2019 KING AIR MAGAZINE •
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