1928 Stearman C2B NC5415
In 1929, Ben Eielson purchased this Stearman from Noel Wien for the newly established Alaskan Airways, Inc. In November, 1929, pilot Eielson and his mechanic, Earl Borland, were lost on a flight in Siberia to the stranded fur ship, Nanuk. With only forty hours flight time, novice aviator Harold Gillam, flew the Stearman on this extraordinary search for the downed men. NC5415 was among the first to land on Mt. McKinley 1932, and also made historic flights to arctic villages with diphtheria serum in 1931 with pilot Joe Crosson.
