Two Stinson 108-3 aircraft, courtesy John Baker
Of all the aircraft in the Abken fleet, my personal favorite was the Stinson 108-3 Voyager.
The Stinson Aircraft Company had a long history stretching from 1920 through the 1950's. The company was founded by an aviator, Edward "Eddie" Stinson, in Dayton, OH. The first aircraft produced by the company was a single-engine, high-wing monoplane known as the Detroiter, which first flew in 1926. It boasted a heated, soundproof cabin, electric starter, and wheel brakes. The company continued to produce and sell various models through the Depression and World War II.
Unfortunately, Eddie Stinson did not live to enjoy the success of his company. He died in an air crash in Chicago, IL, on January 26, 1932, while on a sales trip. At the time of his death at age 38, Stinson had acquired more than 16,000 hours of flight time — more than any other pilot at the time.
Eddie Stinson's death accelerated the assimilation of Stinson Aircraft Corporation into larger corporate entities: first by Cord Corporation, then by Aviation Corporation (AVCO), and later by Consolidated Vultee. By 1950 the Stinson company was sold to the Piper Aircraft Corporation, which continued to produce 108s for a limited time.
Photograph by Hans Greonhoff, courtesy Dan Shumaker
Before its purchase by Piper, Stinson had designed its first twin-engine aircraft. Piper constructed one prototype, named the Twin Stinson, shown in the photograph above. Notice the twin tail or H-tail. The first flight of the Twin Stinson was on March 2, 1952. Piper then reworked the design--replacing the twin tail with a single vertical stabilizer--and put these aircraft into full production, marketing them first under the name Piper Apache and later, with additional improvements, as the Piper Aztec. It was the world's first general aviation all-metal twin-engine aircraft.
Before its purchase by Piper, Stinson had designed its first twin-engine aircraft. Piper constructed one prototype, named the Twin Stinson, shown in the photograph above. Notice the twin tail or H-tail. The first flight of the Twin Stinson was on March 2, 1952. Piper then reworked the design--replacing the twin tail with a single vertical stabilizer--and put these aircraft into full production, marketing them first under the name Piper Apache and later, with additional improvements, as the Piper Aztec. It was the world's first general aviation all-metal twin-engine aircraft.
Photograph courtesy Alain Flotard
The maroon Stinson 108-3 shown above was utilized by the French Air Force during the war in Indochina in 1951. Piloted by André Bellouard, it was used by General Henri-Augustin Lorillot, the High Commissioner of the region around Hué, for his travels. The aircraft survived the conflict and was brought to France where it was beautifully restored. [Note the French Air Force markings on the fuselage and rudder.] It is currently owned by Alain Flotard of Seyssinet, France.
I have learned that on March 12, 2011, Alain Flotard put up his unique Stinson for sale. Asking price is 45,000 euros [approximately $60,000].
Stinson 108-3 Voyagers were also flown in Spain by the Ejercito del Aire between the late 1940's and 1965.
I have learned that on March 12, 2011, Alain Flotard put up his unique Stinson for sale. Asking price is 45,000 euros [approximately $60,000].
Stinson 108-3 Voyagers were also flown in Spain by the Ejercito del Aire between the late 1940's and 1965.
L. D. Abernathy and Eugenia M. Kenyon beside the Abken Stinson NC871C. Photographs courtesy William E. Martin
The Abken Stinson was a model 108-3 Voyager, registration number NC871C. It was built in 1947 at the Stinson factory in Wayne, MI, and painted maroon. The 108 series aircraft were the last Stinsons produced and competed against aircraft from Piper and Cessna. The 108-3's had a 165 hp, air-cooled, six-cylinder Franklin engine and were available in maroon and blue, although the majority were maroon. The two Stinsons pictured at the top of this post were both manufactured in 1948 and are similar to Abken's.
In 2011, several Stinson 108-3 aircraft in excellent condition were offered for sale on Barnstormers.com for between $26,000 and $30,000. Considering that J-3 Piper Cubs usually sell for much higher prices, a buyer is getting a lot more airplane for his money with the Stinson--especially at today's prices!
The demise of Abken's Stinson is documented on the internet. In fact, the Stinson outlived my father by a little over a year. At 7:00 AM MST on October 9, 1999, Stinson NC871C sustained substantial damage when it collided with ground obstacles after veering off the runway while landing at a private dirt strip near Yuma, Arizona. The pilot received minor injuries, but the passenger was unharmed.
For more information, see John Baker's Stinson Aircraft Pages and Larry Westin's Stinson 108 Voyager and Flying Station Wagon Page
Revised October 1, 2011
Sources: Wikipedia, William E. Martin, Larry Westin, Aircrashed.com, Hangar 9 Aeroworks, Barnstormers.com, 1000aircraftphotos.com
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