115,000Here we have this beautifully presented Boeing Stearman with a fascinating history and genuine film star status. G-AROY was built in 1942 as a PT17 by Boeing for the United States Army Air Force. In 1959, it was transferred to the civilian Register as N56418 in Buena WA and converted to a crop sprayer. During this process, it was upgraded with the iconic PW R985 engine giving it a much needed boost in performance. In June 1961 John Jordan (Jordans Mill), a keen aviator and motor racer, imported the aircraft to the UK where it was used as a crop sprayer for several years with Aerial Farm Services Ltd. Several years later in 1965, it John s personal aircraft until he died in 2004.

John Jordan was an incredibly charismatic and a slightly mischievous character, who caught the flying bug after a flight with Richard Shuttleworth at Old Warden. He joined the RAF but was dismissed for flying friends to the pub when they had been confined to barracks. Not to be stopped, he joined the ATA and ended the war having flown practically every operational aircraft in the RAF at the time. Known for his barnstorming antics, he displayed the Stearman for many years and the aircraft also featured in numerous Hollywood movies including:

1985: The Aviator, with Christopher Reeve
1986: Biggles, Adventures in time
1999: My life so far, with Colin Firth

The aircraft has 3394 hours, with a very low time engine and propellor having only 129 hours total time. The engine, sourced from Covington (the gold standard engine shop), was fitted in 2011 after the aircraft suffered an engine failure in 2008. The opportunity was taken during this time to strip and inspect the aircraft for a full recover, install new Redline brakes and a newly overhauled engine and propellor.

The current custodian has lovingly looked after ROY and used it primarily for charitable functions whist being flown by a professional pilot. Here is a rare opportunity for someone to acquire a much cherished and well known aircraft to be enjoyed for many years to come.