The Stinson 108 Voyager and
Flying Station Wagon Photo Page
by Larry Westin

Images of Stinson 108 and other Stinson light aircraft including the HW-80, model 105, model 10 and 10A, L-1 and L-5 Sentinel.

Last update 01/12/08

My thanks to David Talley for providing the Stinsonflyer server to store these images on!  NOTE - on 01/01/05 I moved all the Instrument Panel views (except one here for the model 10) to their own page.

Very nice in-flight view of Stinson model 105, NC26256, built in 1940. The Stinson 105 was also known as the HW-80. At the time this airplane was built the Stinson manufacturing facilities were just moved from Wayne, Michigan to Nashville, Tennesse. The airplane is shown over Brooklyn, New York, with the East River below, Manhattan and the Hudson River in the background. Photo taken by famed aviation photographer Hans Groenhoff. Added 10/01/07, about 136K.

Stinson model 10A, NC36794, serial number 8094, built in 1941. This image came from the Corel Classic Aviation series CD-ROM. Permission to use comes with purchase of the CD-ROM. Added 10/05/98, about 45K.

Ground view of Stinson model 10, NC26253, owned by Air Associates Underwriters.  B&W, about 37K, added 07/16/02.

Ground view of  Stinson model 10A, NC36793.  This view photo was taken in 1943 at Bar Harbor airport, Maine.  At the time this airplane was flown by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) on anti submarie missions off the Eastern seaboard of the United States.  A CAP mechanic has the right cowling opening inspecting the engine.  Color, about 176K, added 03/05/05.

One half Front inflight view of  Stinson model 10A NC32208, owned by Dianna Wirt.  Here is a second view, this time about 1/4 rear inflight of Stinson model 10A NC32208.  The airplane is being flown by Dianna Wirt, and photographed by Charles Wirt from their Stinson 108-3. The Stinson model 10/10A was built prior to WWII, this particular example was used by the Civil Air Patrol in Florida to hunt German submarines operating off the Eastern U.S. seaboard during WWII.  Color, about 116K and 109K respectively.  Charles Wirt sent these images of Stinson model 10 operating the with the CAP at Lantana, Florida, against axis submarines.  Stinson model 10 in the hangar getting prepared for flight, Stinson model 10 with a bugler on the flight line, Stinson model 10's on the flight line,  Stinson model 10 instrument panel which is very basic by todays standard, even more so when you consider these light airplanes were flown over water,  Stinson model 10 radio equipment as used by the CAP for anti submare reconnaissance.  My thanks to Charles Wirt for providing all these images.  First two color images added 06/09/04, black and white CAP images added 10/15/05.

Ground view of Stinson O-49 (Later renamed the L-1) Vigilant, this was Stinson's first attempt to build a liaison aircraft for the USAAF.  In fact it performed very well with excellent short field capabilities.  Only some 324 were built primarily because the USAAF considered the airplane too expensive.  The USAAF next conducted tests for a lower cost liaison aircraft, see the YO-54 below, and finally Stinson developed the L-5 Sentinel.  This photograph is of serial number 40-192, the first O-49 built.  B&W, about 39K, added 07/16/02.

Ground view of a Stinson YO-54 Voyager, serial number 41-143. Some publications refer to this as a Stinson 105, others a model 10.  Examination of the airplane indicates to me it is a model 10.  The USAAF purchased 6 commercial Stinson model 10 Voyagers for tests as liaison aircraft in an effort to find a lower cost liaison airplane than the O-49 above.   The YO-54's were tested at Wright field, along with similarly powered aircraft by 5 other manufactures.  None performed particularly well, the Stinson YO-54, with 80HP, was very underpowered.  Stinson chief engineer A. P. Fontaine learned from the YO-54's, and from them he next designed the Stinson L-5 Sentinel.  B&W, about 40K,  Added 06/01/02.

Stinson Voyager 125 NX31519.  This is the prototype of what would become the Stinson 108.  As shown it was officially identified by Stinson as the Voyager 125, powered by a Lycoming 125HP engine.  The press release on the back of the photo says the airplane was in production, not so.  This airplane would later be modified into the prototype Stinson 108 with a 150HP Franklin engine.  It never entered production with the Lycoming 125.  The press release goes on to say the airplane can accomodate 2 or 3 passengers in addition to the pilot.  Poor performance was the reason the Voyager 125 never went into production.  After modifications as the Voyager 150 (model 108), it could accomodate 3 passengers plus the pilot. Photo is dated 9/21/45. Added06/27/04, About 89K.  

Stinson Voyager 125 Prototype NX31519. This is the prototype Stinson 125, it was originally built as a model 10A  and modified into the 125 configuration.  Shown with test pilot Al Schramm in its initial configuration with the low model 10A tail and model 10A vertical stabilizer. Thanks to John Baker for scanning this photo, and John Underwood for permission to use it. Added 03/01/02, About 31K.

Stinson Voyager 125 Prototype NX31519 Inflight. This view appears as if taken very early in the test program, probably on the same flight as the inflight view above. Airplane has the original type nose grills, the original low set horizontal stabilizer, model 10A type vertical stabilizer, and the original carburetor intake, still with the original Lycoming 125 engine. Added 03/01/02, about 80K.

Now modified this shows the Prototype 108, NX31519 in a Ground Ground View. This view was taken later and shows the modified horizontal stabilizer and carburetor intake. The horizontal stabilizer is now mounted up higher on the vertical stabilizer, with the "small tail" 108 vertical stabilizer configuration.  In this form the airplane, still registered NX31519, is now the Stinson Voyager 150 model 108 prototrype. Added 03/01/02, about 59K.

Stinson 108 Prototype NX31519 on the ground with the Engine Cowling open.  Believe this is a factory advertising photo showing a man and a woman examining the Franklin engine in the Stinson 108 prototype.  Viewing the original photograph reveals the airplane still has the NX registration, this airplane would later carry the approved NC registration.  Note the prototype engine grills, used only on the prototype airplanes.  All production airplanes have horizontal bars only on the engine grills, and the bars are spaced differently than shown here.  Sensenich wood propeller. B&W photo, about 54K, Added 01/3/03.

Beautiful inflight view of Stinson 108 N97141 serial number 141, straight model 108, completed 6/12/46, delivered originally on 6/17/46.  Now owned by Andy Heins who provided the photograph. Added 03/20/98. About 23K.

Factory photo of Stinson 108 NC97742. This is the last straight model 108, and the paint scheme is that applied to the model 108-1 aircraft. Photo was taken at the Stinson factory just as the airplane was to be delivered. B&W, about 36K, Added 02/01/01.

Factory photo of a Stinson 108-2 on the ground. Registration is NC9270K, serial number 108-2270, completed 4/23/47, delivered 4/25/47, a Voyager model with the base color of Sand.  Not too many Stinson 108's were painted Sand from the factory.  Look closely at the landing gear - it is NOT broken, this is a Goodyear Crosswind landing gear installed on the airplane.  The crosswind landing gear allowed the airplane to land in a crab with the wheels tracking straight down the runway.  In 1959 as an airport kid of 13 I saw my first crosswind landing gear on a Cessna 195.  I thought the Cessna had a failed landing gear and walked up to the airplane during his runup to tell him he had a problem.  The Cessna 195 pilot calmly explained to me the crosswind landing gear.  B&W, about 98K, Added 01/01/05.

Factory photo of a Stinson 108-2 on the ground. Registration is NC9327K, serial number 108-2327, completed 4/14/47, delivered 4/15/47, a Station Wagon model with the base color of Sand.  Not too many Stinson 108's were painted Sand from the factory.  B&W, about 105K, Added 01/01/05.

Factory photo of a Stinson 108-2 Inflight. Cannot read the registration number on this beautiful inflight view with a nice cloudscape background.   This photo may my NC9424K, see the image below.  B&W, about 22K, Added 03/01/02.

Beautiful high resolution inflight photo of Stinson 108-2 NC9424K from the side with a very nice cloudscape for the background.  This is serial number 108-2424, completed 4/18/47, delivered 4/21/47.  April 1947 was a banner month for Stinson and model 108, according to a press release Stinson built 316 108's during April 1947.  B&W, about 78K, added 06/09/02.

Photo of Stinson 108-2 NC9382K on the ground, a side view. In this photo you can see the baggage compartment just behind the rear window. This is serial number 108-2382, a Station Wagon model completed 4/17/47, delivered 4/18/47. The production summary has a note that this airplane is an "Army Demonstrator." NC9381K was also shown as an Army Demonstrator. I'm not aware of the US Army or US Air Force ever using the Stinson 108 series airplane.  If anyone else has information about any tests run by the US Army or US Air Force, I'd like to hear about them.   B&W, about 36K, added 03/01/02.

A second close up view of Stinson 108-2 NC9382K's nose showing the "Stinson Flying Station Wagon" logo as applied to the model 108-2.  B&W, about 39K, added 03/01/02.

All aircraft must have a data plate.  Here is a Stinson 108-2 Data Plate, and a Stinson 108-3 Data Plate . This is the aircraft data plate located on the firewall. I have seen the data plate attached to both the inside and outside of the firewall. I believe it was attached to the inside of the firewall when delievered from the factory. Note the FAA changed the FAR's to require an external data plate near the tail. All U.S. registered aircraft which were delivered without a data plate at the tail, such as the Stinson 108 series, must have an additional data plate added. The FAA only requires the make, model and serial number on the tail data plate. Tail data plates are made by several other companies and come in various sizes and shapes. These images show the official data plate provided by Stinson. I removed the serial numbers from the 108-3 image, but all Stinson 108's had the same type data plate.  About 74K and 61K respectively, added 03/01/02, updated 01/06/07.

"Period" inflight foto of Stinson 108-3 Flying Station Wagon NC501C. This is serial number 108-3501, the first model 108-3. This aircraft is shown in the float plane photos area equipped with floats. Added 10/21/07, about 51K.

Two photographs of the Stinson logo. This first view shows an unusual Stinson cowling Logo apparently applied only to NC501C, the first Stinson model 108-3. This view of the second production model 108-3, NC502C, shows the standard Stinson cowling Logo that was adopted for production. Added 11/23/07, about 58K and 48K respectively.

Side view inflight foto of Stinson 108-3 Flying Station Wagon NC502C, serial number 108-3502. Added 11/23/07, about 59K.

Another "Period" inflight foto of Stinson 108-3 Flying Station Wagon NC502C. Note the manual direction finding loop antenna on the cabin roof left side. Added 06/02/99, about 67K.

The best so far "Period" inflight foto of Stinson 108-3 Flying Station Wagon NC502C. Added 01/12/08, about 93K.

This is a photograph of the Stinson Factory building Stionson 108-3 Flying Station Wagons, NC578C is shown on the prodcution line.  Four other model 108-3's are shown in various stages of construction.  NC578C, serial number 108-3578, a Station Wagon model completed 10/3/47, delivered 10/6/47.  Based on the completion date this photograph shows the Stinson factory at Wayne, Michigan in very late September or very early October 1947. B&W, about 151K. Added 01/01/05.

"Period" photo of Stinson 108-3 Flying Station Wagon NC634C. B&W ground view of the right side. Photo taken at the Decatur, Illinois airport, August 13, 1948. Photographed by Ralph Brown, via the Fred Freeman collection. Look closely through the rear window and you can see the nose of a Cessna T-50. Added 06/02/99, about 47K.

"Period" photo of Stinson 108-3 Flying Station Wagon NC949C. B&W ground view of the left side. Note the position light, there is a bracket for the low frequency "V" type radio antenna to connect to. Added 06/02/99, about 49K.

Stinson Cutaway of the Stinson 108-3 Voyager. My thanks to Flying Magazine for supplying the original 8x10 and giving their permission to display this photograph on my homepage. About 170K. Added 03/19/97, Updated (rescanned) 10/14/07.

Factory inflight foto of Stinson model NX8563K.   Built as a model 108-2 in Michigan, it flew to Consolidated's factory in San Diego for modification.  These modifications included a new vertical stabilizer and rudder, later used on the 108-3, and a single wing strut that did not go into production.  The airplane was converted back to a standard model 108-2 and delivered with a standard registration NC8563K.  Currently the airplane is owned by Bill Stoos in Florida.  Bill reports there are still some of the changes present, some additional welded pieces aft of the rear seats.  Probably strengthing for the single strut.  Photo scanned from John Underwoods book, used with permission.  NX8563K is serial number 108-63, completed 1/14/47, delivered 1/15/47 (delivered to Consolidated?) B&W, about 24K, Added 03/01/02, last updated 01/01/05.

Inflight foto of Stinson N6289M. This photo shows a model 108-3 which has been modified with the fabric covering replaced by sheet aluminum.  Several companies hold STC's to replace the fabric with sheet metal.  This image also shows the standard radio antenna included with the 108-3. This is serial number 108-4289, completed 2/3/48, delivered 5/14/48, a Station Wagon model painted blue at the factory.  Added 03/02/04, last updated 01/01/05, B&W, about 86K.

Ground view of a Stinson L-5 Sentinel.  There is no serial number visible, however examination of the print shows this airplane has full span leading edge slots on the wings.  Only the prototype, civil registration NX27772, had full span slots.  These long slots caused a big problem trying to recover from spins, and they were shortened to half span on this airplane, and all subsequent L-5 Sentinels.   B&W, about 53K, Added 06/28/00, Updated (rescanned) 06/01/02.

Very nice in flight view of Stinson L-5 Sentinel 42-14803. This is the fifth Stinson L-5 built. B&W, about 98K, Added 10/14/07.

Ground view of a Stinson L-5E Sentinel, serial number 44-17696.  Photo taken at Fort Belvoir, VA, April 24, 1951.  B&W, about 72K, Added 06/01/02.

Inflight view of the first production Stinson (Consolidated Vultee) L-13A serial number 46-068.  The L-13 was designed by Stinson at their Wayne, Michigan facility.  Two prototypes were built and flown by Stinson at Wayne, MI.  With the sale of the Stinson division to Piper in late 1948, Consolidated Vultee kept the rights to the L-13, and put it into production at the San Diego, California, Convair plant.  Eventually 300 L-13's were built.  B&W, about 51K, added 06/28/02.

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