Meet “Betty” – The Heart of Vintage Air Tours

Some airplanes are just machines—but others carry a soul, a story, and a legacy that lives on with every flight. Meet Betty, our beloved 1943 Boeing PT-17 Stearman biplane. Born on May 7, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, Betty is more than just a beautifully restored aircraft—she’s a piece of living history. Originally built as a military primary trainer during World War II, Betty served right here in South Texas, preparing young Army Air Corps cadets for the skies of war.

Today, she continues her mission—not in training warriors, but in thrilling passengers with the magic of open-cockpit flight. With her bold yellow wings, steady purr of her radial engine, and unmatched charm, Betty is the crown jewel of Vintage Air Tours. Every time she takes off, she connects the past to the present, offering passengers a front-row seat to aviation history.

Come fly with Betty, and feel the same wind, freedom, and exhilaration those cadets felt over 80 years ago.

At the center of Vintage Air Tours is a bright blue and yellow biplane with a big heart and an even bigger story. Her name is Betty, a 1943 Boeing PT-17 Stearman, and she’s more than just our flagship aircraft—she’s an authentic flying piece of American heritage.

Born in the Golden Age of Flight

Betty rolled off the Boeing assembly line in Wichita, Kansas, on May 7, 1943, at the height of World War II. She was one of thousands of Stearman trainers built to prepare young Army Air Corps pilots for the rigors of combat flying. But Betty’s story hits even closer to home—she was stationed and flew right here in South Texas, where she trained cadets in the very skies we fly today.

These young aviators, some barely out of high school, took their first flight lessons in aircraft just like Betty. She was their introduction to takeoffs, landings, stalls, spins, and the fundamentals of aerial warfare. For many, Betty was the beginning of a journey that would carry them across oceans and into history.

A New Chapter in the Skies of Rockport

After decades of service and careful, award-winning restoration, Betty now lives a peaceful but exciting second life as part of the Vintage Air Tours fleet. With her open cockpit, wind-in-your-hair freedom, and unmistakable radial engine growl, she delivers unforgettable flights over the Gulf Coast—just like she did 80 years ago.

Flying in Betty isn’t just sightseeing—it’s storytelling. You’re stepping into the boots of a 1940s cadet, gripping the stick and scanning the horizon, just as they did. Every flight is a tribute to their courage, and every loop around the Rockport skies helps preserve that powerful legacy.

Why She Matters

Betty is more than a plane. She represents our mission: to preserve aviation history while inspiring future generations to take flight. She’s a link between generations, between war and peace, and between the golden age of flight and today’s dreamers.

If you’ve ever wanted to feel what it was like to train for war in a world that was learning to fly, you won’t find a better guide than Betty.

Come meet Betty. Fly the legend with Vintage Air Tours

Book your Stearman flight today and experience history as it was meant to be—loud, low, and full of life.