The Stinson 108 Voyager Stinson 108's in Military Service http://personalpage.tdstelme.net/~westin By Larry Westin - November 1, 1999 UPDATED - Rev A - 11/4/99 Earlier Stinsons, notably the model 10, the model 76 (L5 Sentinel) and several Reliant versions, were used by several military air arms just prior, during World War II, and after. To the best of my knowledge only one country, Spain, used the Stinson 108 in military service. Many cases exist where Hollywood painted a Stinson 108 to look like a military airplane for a movie, but only the Ejercito del Aire, the Spanish Air Force, actually used the Stinson 108 operationally in military service. The Ejercito del Aire acquired some 21 Stinson 108-3's for liaison duties. In Spanish Air Force service the Stinson 108-3 was designated L.2. Known serial numbers indicate these were not purchased as a single batch, in fact the Spanish Air Force may have purchased some from private owners. In service the Stinson 108-3's retained their civilian paint scheme with the addition of military insignia. Roundels were painted top and bottom of each wing, and on each side of the fuselage. On the left side of the fuselage roundel appeared the squadron number. On the right side of the fuselage roundel appears the aircraft number within the squadron. As with all Spanish Air Force aircraft of this time period, the rudder was painted white with a black "X." On the vertical stabilizer the Spanish Air Force designation was painted, L.2, followed by a dash and ending with the airplane serial number, in Spanish Air Force use, for that type airplane. No doubt that sentence totally confused you. To clarify - the Stinsons carried designations from L.2-1 through L.2-21. Some publications indicate only 18 aircraft were obtained. The Stinson 108-3 in the Museo del Aire, hangar 3, carries the designation L.2-21, so I am assuming 21 were purchased. All were Stinson model 108-3's. The Ejercito del Aire declared the L.2 aircraft surplus in 1965. Subsequently 8 aircraft were then civilianized, and registered to the Subsecretaria de la Aviacion Civil with Spanish civil, "EC," registrations. Known registrations are as follows: 108- L.2-2 EC-AZT 108- L.2-3 EC-AZO '94-2' 108- L.2-8 EC-AZU 108- L.2-10 EC-AZP 108- L.2-12 EC-AYZ 108-3982 L.2-17 EC-AZQ 108- L.2- EC-AZN 108-4338 L.2- EC-AZD ex N6338M, Preserved, Museo del Aire, uncovered suspended from the ceiling in Hangar 2. 108-5162 L.2-21 Preserved, Museo del Aire, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, fully covered and painted, in Hangar 3. Franklin 6A4-165 on a stand next to the airplane. On a recent trip to Spain I was privileged to visit the Museo del Aire, Madrid-Cuatro Vientos. The museum has two Stinson 108-3's on display. In hangar 2 an uncovered example hangs from the ceiling. This unique display allows visitors to see the structure of the Stinson 108. In hangar 3 a fully covered example, serial number L.2-21, sits on its own landing gear. Except for a few fairings, this airplane is externally complete. The instrument panel is incomplete. I attempted to learn the serial numbers of the displayed airplanes, but was unsuccessful. Also asked if any museum staff had flown the Stinson 108, but none could give me any information. Since it has been 35 years since they were declared surplus, this was not unexpected. If you are in Madrid I strongly suggest a visit to the Museo del Aire. Displayed aircraft are exhibited very professionally and aircraft are well maintained. In addition they have displayed engines, radio and other aircraft related items. A recommended museum to visit. If you have corrections or additional information about Stinson 108 used in military service, please contact me. Larry Westin, email westin@tdstelme.net or to my postal address: Larry Westin 233 Pratt Road Newport, Maine 04953 Information sources for this article: My thanks to John Wegg, author of "General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors," and editor of Airways Magazine, for providing much of the information about the Spanish Air Force use of the Stinson 108. John Wegg also supplied the black and white photo of the Spanish Air Force L.2-17. My thanks to Pete Hughes of Air Britain, for providing the serial numbers and civilian registrations.