Local Stearman set to fly across the silver screen

Ray Johnson’s red Stearman biplane has been a familiar sight in the skies over Buffalo and surrounding towns for years, and its next flight could be across the silver screen.

   After 41 years of owning the aircraft, which includes 20 years of rebuilding, Johnson has sold the plane to Paramount Overseas Productions, Inc. While Johnson never placed an ad for his plane, word of mouth and photos in the Minnesota Flyer Magazine contributed to the company finding his WWII era plane.

   When the purchase was finalized, the plane was flown down to Florida late last week by pilot Jared Calvert, who was paid by Paramount Pictures to “ferry” the aircraft there. From Florida, it will be disassembled and shipped to the United Kingdom in a cargo container and spend about a year there for filming, then return to the States for any additional filming.

   The company told Johnson that the plan is to include the plane in the next “Mission: Impossible” movie, starring Tom Cruise.

   “That’s what I’m told,” Johnson said of the plane’s new adventure. “I don’t want to say things for sure, but it is exciting.”

   However and whenever the Stearman ends up on-screen, it will be an impressive and rewarding sight for Johnson to see after spending decades working on and flying the plane.

   “After all these years, it’s exciting to have sold it to these people and maybe be able to, in the next few years, see it somewhere in the movies,” Johnson shared. “I’m happy and satisfied with this new chapter for the plane.”

The Stearman

As explained in an article by Ed DuBois in the August 29, 2002 issue of the Journal-Press, the Stearman was used as a primary trainer in the U.S. military during World War II. Johnson’s plane was built in 1943, and he bought it in 1980 after seeing an ad listed in a Minneapolis paper. 

After the plane was flown from Graceville, Minn. to the Twin Cities, the Stearman would not be flown again until the fall of 2000. Since the project’s completion, Johnson has flown the plane every summer. He kept a guest book for those he took up in the Stearman, too, documenting their experience.

“I started the book in 2000,” Johnson said. “The last time I counted, there are 400 and some [guests], but some are multiple rides. I’ve probably given over 1,000 rides in the Stearman, over this period of 20 years.”

From June to September, Johnson and his red plane could be spotted in the skies, and it also made appearances at the annual pancake breakfasts at the Buffalo Airport.

The Next Project

After seeing the completion of a 20-year project, Johnson isn’t looking to buy another plane.

“I don’t think I need another one,” he said with a chuckle.

In his hangar already, however, is an “in-the-works” project that Johnson can now shift his focus to: a 1955 Beech Bonanza.

“I’ll be getting it ready, and it will be going to a museum up in Pine County,” Johnson shared.

The plane is currently disassembled as he works on the individual pieces, slowly putting it back together. The Bonanza will be ready to go to its new home by the summer of 2022.

Johnson looks forward to working on his next project while he waits to hear updates from Paramount Pictures on the adventures of his plane. Be sure to keep an eye out in upcoming movies for the red Stearman!