The Kaydet, the two-seater biplane introduced by Stearman Aircraft Division of Boeing in Wichita, KA, in 1934, 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 for the U.S. Army Air Corps (PT-13/-17) and U.S. Navy (NS/N2S). The Kaydets had fabric-covered wooden wings, single-leg landing gear, an over-built welded-steel fuselage, and radial engines. Between 1936 and 1944, Boeing built 8,584 Kaydets, in all versions, plus the equivalent of 2,000 more in spares.