The Radial
Engine Stinson Photo Page
by Larry Westin
Images of Radial Engine
Stinsons, these were built until the end of World War II. Started
04/01/03, Last updated
10/17/10
The first airplane built by Eddie Stinson was the Detroiter
making its first flight on January 25, 1926. The Detroiter
prototype shown here lead directly to the Stinson SB-1 production
version, 26 of which were built. The Detroiter was powered by a
200 HP Wright J-4B Whirlwind.
Added 04/01/03.
Stinson built 53 tri engined high wing airliners known by two
names, the SM6000 and the Model "T" (which supposedly
referred to Tri Motor). Shown here is SM6000B
NC11155, serial number 5022 of American Airways (later
American Airlines). Here is another view of a SM6000B
NC10823, serial number 5039 of Pennsylvania Airlines. Both
aircraft were powered by 215HP Lycoming R-680 radial engines.
Approved under Type Certificate 420.
Added 04/01/03.
Shown here is a Stinson model R-2,
NC447M, serial number 8521 built in 1934, only 3 airplanes of
this type were built by Stinson under Type Certificate 489.
Engine was a Lycoming R-680 of 240HP. Type certificate number
489. Added 04/01/03.
Stinson built their first retractable gear airplane, the Stinson model
R-3, NC449M, serial number 8600. This particular view shows
the registration without the NC, and it may be this photo was
taken prior to type approval. Few high wing airplanes ever had
retractable landing gear, the Stinson R-3 used a mechanical
system. Engine was 240HP Lycoming R-680, Type Certificate 493.
Added 04/01/03.
Stinson Reliant
There were 3 basic versions of the SR Reliant series
airplanes. The SR, SR Special, SR-1, SR-2, SR-3, SR-4, and the
SR-6 together are one version commonly known as the
"Straight Wing" Reliants. A total of 287 straight wing
Reliants were built by Stinson.
Second SR series were the SR-7, SR-8, SR-9 and SR-10 which
together are known as the "Gull Wing" Reliants. A total
of 488 Gull Wing Reliants were built by Stinson, all prior to
World War II. Last Stinson Reliant was the V-77 which was a
modified SR-10 built during World War II primarily for the
British. The American military did use some of these aircraft
under the designation AT-19. A total of 500 V-77/AT-19 Reliants
were built by Stinson during World War II. The V-77 is actually a
Vultee model number, by this time Stinson had been purchased and
was the Stinson Division of Consolidated Vultee Aircraft
Corporation.
Straight wing Stinson model
SR-5A Reliant, NC1457? (cannot see the last number of the
registration). Note an easy way to tell the difference between a
Straight Wing Reliant and a Gull Wing Reliant is the wing
strut(s). The Straight Wing Reliants have two struts on each
side, the Gull Wing Reliants have a single strut for each wing.
The SR-5A was powered by the 245HP Lycoming R-680 engine.
This is a ground view of Stinson SR-6
NC15137 serial number 9642. Power was a 245 Lycoming R-680-6
engine. Added 04/01/03.
Gull Wing Reliant Stinon SR-9D,
NX17132, serial number 5210. Normal power was a 285 HP Wright
R-760-E1 engine. This particular airplane is experimental because
it is equipped with a 220hp Guidberson disel engine. Note the
unique cowling with holes in the front of the cowling for each
cylinder, and the lack of rocker box fairings. While tests were
reported satisfactory, the Guidberson diesel was in short supply
because of its use in Army tanks. My thanks to Tim Liewer who provided
information on why this airplane is registered experimental.
Added 04/01/03, information updated 10/17/10.
Here is a view of the Stinson SR-10E NC21127,
serial number 5-5852 The SR-10E Gull Wing Reliants were
powered by a 320HP Wright R-760-E2 engine. Here is some more
information about this photo from Carl B. Jordan. "The plane
was blue, trimmed in the usual American Airlines orange-ish/red
trim. The photo was taken in front of the American Airlines
hangar that used to exist in the southeast corner of Chicago
Municipal Airport, which was renamed Midway Airport (MDW) in
1949. The address for this location was American Airlines, Inc,
4848 W. 63rd Street, Chicago, Illinois. (There were no zip codes
back then.)
The old, original airline terminal building can be seen in the
background. The control tower rested on top of the terminal
building which was located at 62nd Street and Cicero Avenue.
Today, when folks fly on airliners they depart and arrive from a
certain "gate." There are no real "gates"
involved. Instead, passengers usually embark and disembark via
jetways in modern terminal buildings. Added 04/01/03,
updated 08/14/10.
Here is a second SR-10E,
NC23787, serial number 5925. Also an American Airlines
Reliant. Added 04/01/03.
Return to the Stinson Flyer
Homepage.
Return home
to Larry & Sue Westin's Stinson
and Batcat homepage.