1940 Ryan Aeronautical Corporation STM-S2

History

The Ryan STM-S2 was an American built military variation of the 1930’s sport plane, the ST-A, and was a trainer used extensively by the Dutch, American and Guatemalan forces. A descendant of the plane that Lindbergh made that first flight across the Atlantic in, it was popular due to its speed and agility. Though not generally equipped for battle a number of the aircraft were engaged by Japanese fighters and survived due to their superior maneuverability.

Ryan STM-S2 (s/n 458) was ordered by the Dutch Government on June 25, 1940 as part of a batch of 12, numbered S-11 to S-22, and earmarked for the Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (MLD), the Netherlands Naval Air Service. The 12, plus 12 sets of floats, left Los Angeles aboard SS Hoegh Silver Dawn on November 18, 1940, bound for the Netherlands East Indies.

Assigned number S-22, she arrived in Java on January 3, 1941, and within two weeks was flying training missions from the main MLD Base at Morokrembangan. Facing the advance of the Japanese invaders, S-22 was crated along with 33 other Ryans and evacuated aboard the MS Tjinegara, which sailed for Australia on February 17, 1942, and managed to evade Japanese air and naval forces, but was sadly torpedoed and sunk after the Ryans were delivered.

The crates lingered on the Sydney docks while the Australian government negotiated with the NEI authorities in exile for their acquisition and following the agreed purchase, S-22 finally arrived at its destination on August 27, 1942. After joining the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the majority were kept at the Evans Head base, where a number were damaged in 1945 by a cyclone, which caused a hangar to collapse. C/N 458, now serving as A50-17 was a lucky survivor.

After many years in the RAAF, and then later in civilian life as VH-AGV, C/N 458 was shipped back to America in 1969. She was purchased in Oklahoma by the current owner in 2013 and was shipped to Wiltshire, UK where she underwent a complete ground-up, nut and bolt restoration by The Classic Aeroplane Company Ltd. and more recently undergone an IRAN. Please Note: S-22 can be operated as a dual control, two-seat trainer, or the front cockpit can be easily fitted with a fairing that converts this majestic classic into a sleek looking single-seat sport aircraft – either way, it is simply stunning!

She is one of only three survivors from the original Dutch order of twelve and is based at Oaksey Park in the United Kingdom.