The Stearman (Boeing) Model 75 is a biplane that was used as a military trainer aircraft, of which at least 10,584 were built in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. Stearman Aircraft, of Wichita, Kansas, became a subsidiary of the Boeing Aircraft Company in 1934, and introduced the Model 75 Kaydet that year. Widely known as the Stearman, Boeing Stearman, or Kaydet, it served as a primary trainer for the USAAF, the USN and Marine Corps, and the RCAF throughout World War II.

It was a conventional biplane and became an unexpected success during World War II. Despite its almost obsolete design, its simple, rugged construction made it ideal as a trainer for novice pilots in the U.S. Army Air Force, and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The Model 75 had a large fixed tail wheel undercarriage, and accommodation for the student and instructor in tandem open cockpits. The biplane had fabric-covered wooden wings, single-leg landing gear and an over-built welded-steel fuselage. Only radial engines were used and were typically uncowled, although some Stearman operators choose to cowl the engine. Between 1936 and 1944, Boeing built 8,584 Kaydets, in all versions, plus the equivalent of 2,000 more in spares.

The name "Yellow Peril" was not the official name of this aircraft but a colloquialism applied to several primary trainers, especially the Boeing/Stearman NS and N2S Kaydets. The name originated from the fact that all naval trainers had been painted orange-yellow since 1917 as well as from its use in Naval Aviation Reserve Bases where soon-to-be Aviation Cadets received their first training. In the event that a cadet failed to solo within a certain period of time, he was in "Peril" of washing out as an Aviation Cadet and not becoming a Naval Aviator.

Ed Scharch was stationed at NAS Minneapolis and billeted at Wold-Chamberlain Field from July 28, 1943 to October 24, 1943. As an Aviation Cadet, he successfully completed primary flight training in a Yellow Peril. During that time, Lt. Comdr. D.M. Campbell, USNR, was the Commanding Officer of NAS Minneapolis, and Lt. Comdr. W. M. Hanson, USNR, was the Executive Officer. Campbell replaced Lt. Comdr. H. C. Doan, USN, as the new C.O. on 25 June 1942.

The Stearman Kaydets were widely used airplanes. Following the war, thousands of surplus aircraft were sold on the civilian market. Their slow, low-level flying capabilities made them particularly suitable for crop dusting and spraying. They also became popular as sports planes, and for aerobatic and wing walking use in airshows. Many were still in service in the early 1990s.

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Boeing-Stearman Wichita 75

U.S. Navy N2S "Yellow Peril"

U.S. Army Air Force "Kaydet"