The Boeing Model 203 was a three-seat biplane trainer build by Boeing in the late 1920s and used in the company training school.

Development and design

The 203 was a low-power biplane designed to compete with other standard training aircraft. Its front cockpit accommodated 2 passengers side-by-side, or 1 student with a second set of controls. Its fuselage was welded steel tubing (the last Boeing aircraft to be built this way) and its wings were made of solid wood spars and plywood ribs. Physically it resembled a combination of the

Boeing Model 95 The Boeing Model 95 was a single engine biplane mailplane built by Boeing in the United States in the late 1920s to supplement the Boeing Model 40s being used on Boeing's airmail routes. Development While the Model 95 was of the same general co ...

and Boeing P-12. Initially five 203s were built. The first had a 145 hp engine, and first flew on 1 July 1929. The second aircraft was fitted with a 165 hp 5-cylinder

Wright J-6-5 The Wright R-540 Whirlwind was a series of five-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright. These engines had a displacement of 540 in³ (8.85 L) and power ratings of around ...

engine. It first flew on 29 August 1929 and was designated Model 203A. The final three aircraft had the original Axelson engine, upgraded to 165 hp. All aircraft were delivered to the Boeing School of Aeronautics in Oakland, California, and all were eventually converted into ''203As''. After years of service, the vertical tails of the 203As were redesigned to align with those on the

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. Two more aircraft were built at the Boeing School, one in 1935 and one in 1936. By 1941 the two new 203s and an original aircraft were converted to 203Bs. A larger 220 hp 9-cylinder

Lycoming R-680 The Lycoming R-680 is a nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, the first aero engine produced by Lycoming. The engine was produced in two types, the E and B series; both are essentially the same. The B4E was available in a trainer version wit ...

radial engine was installed, and more advanced training equipment was fitted for use by more advanced students. When the Boeing School was closed due to the Second World War, the four 203As were transferred to United Air Lines at Cheyenne, Wyoming, two 203Bs were sold to a private owner, and the fate of the final 203B is unknown.

Variants

;203:prototype powered by a

Axelson A Axelson is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: *Jan Axelson (born 1949), American author and conservationist *Joe Axelson (1927–2008), American sports executive *Matthew Axelson (1976–2005), American Navy SEAL See also *Axelso ...

radial engine and four production aircraft powered by Axelson B radial engines; 4 built. ;203A : The second 203 produced with a

engine and the three 203s converted, by replacing their Axelson engines. Also, two additional aircraft built in 1935 and 1936 :3 built + 3 converted. ;203B:Three 203As converted to 203Bs by installation of

radial engines.

Operators

; * Boeing School of Aeronautics * United Air Lines

Specifications (203)

References

* {{Boeing model numbers 1920s United States military trainer aircraft

203 Year 203 ( CCIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Plautianus and Geta (or, less frequently, year 956 ''Ab urbe condit ...

Single-engined tractor aircraft Biplanes Aircraft first flown in 1929