For primary flight training, Tom flew the Stearman P.T. ^[1]P.T. = Primary Trainer.

The Stearman Aircraft corporation was started in 1927 and purchased in 1929 by the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation. Because of anti-trust regulations, United Aircraft and Transportation was separated in 1934, with the formation of Boeing Aircraft, and United Airlines. Stearman became a subsidiary of Boeing, and ultimately merged with it, losing its namesake identity.

In the meantime, Stearman Aircraft developed and produced a training biplane, known alternatively as the Stearman Kaydet, Stearman Boeing Kaydet, and Boeing Kaydet. It was also commonly known as the Stearman P.T. (for Primary Trainer) Depending on the engine, it had various other names.

Over 10,000 were produced and used for primary flight training of pilots in the Army, Navy, and many foreign nations. It was rugged, durable, powerful enough for training, but slow enough for student pilots to develop their skills.

The Army painted their Stearmans with royal blue bodies and bright yellow wings. The Navy painted the entire aircraft bright yellow.