This 1941 Naval Aircraft factory N3N Is an Off-the-Beaten-Track ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

1941 Naval Aircraft Factory N3N [Courtesy: Bill Hirzel]

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1941 Naval Aircraft Factory N3N.

The Naval Aircraft Factory N3N was designed and built at roughly the same time as the Stearman PT-17, a more famous biplane trainer from World War II. One could say the two aircraft look alike, but that is largely an illusion resulting from similar military paint schemes. The two aircraft have distinct proportions and shapes that set them apart from each other.

For starters they are built differently, with the N3N constructed almost entirely of extruded aluminum parts riveted together, while the Stearman has a wooden wing structure and tubular steel fuselage framework. The N3N is also a bit larger than the Stearman in most dimensions and looks considerably larger when parked on the ramp.

The N3N for sale today is particularly versatile and comes with floats, skis, and wheels. It would be a lot of fun to attend a floatplane fly-in with N3N, which would be a guaranteed conversation starter at any such event. Indeed, it probably is the center of attention wherever it lands.

This 1941 N3N has 5,790 hours on the airframe and 222 hours on its Wright R-760 radial engine, which spins a Hamilton Standard propeller. The aircraft carries 43 gallons of usable fuel and is equipped with a battery, generator, and electric starter. The basic VFR panel includes a magnetic compass, Terra TX720 radio and intercom, tachometer, oil temperature and pressure gauges, and fuel quantity and pressure gauges.

Pilots interested in an early warbird biplane that is off the beaten track when compared with a Stearman should consider this 1941 Naval Aircraft Factory N3N, which is available for $175,000 on AircraftForSale.

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