Stinson Model 108 Voyager

Growing up in the 1960 era, we ran a county airport in Cameron County lTexas in the lower valley, we had one of the stensons there, and dad called it the station wagon

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Two basic models the 105 (277 built) and the Model 10 (775 built), although after the war the Model 10 was developed as the Model 108

Spec 105
Power plant 1 x 75 hp Continental A-75-3 air cooled flat four.

Accommodation 1 pilot and 2 passengers.

Span 34'0" Length 22'2" Height 6'6" Wing area 155 sq ft
Empty weight 923 lb Gross weight 1,580 lb

Max speed 105 mph Cruising speed 100 mph Range 350 miles
Service ceiling 10,500 ft

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I've owned Two Stinsons.The first was a Voyager 108-2 , small tail, small Franklin engine. The second was a Station Wagon 108-3, large tail, large Franklin. A Former Crop Duster Totally rebuilt recovered with Ceconite?, metal prop added. The prop I had rebent for a cruise prop greatly decreasing fuel consumption,with airspeed increasing to 120 /125 mph. The colors on the Station Wagon were Gold with a Black stripe (Pontiac colors) Excelent family transportation ! This plane appeared on a magazine cover (Plane and Pilot ?). My Voyeger was part of a much publicized advertisement campaign (cartoon strip and Radio script) by Eveready Batteries. This depicted an emergancy landing on the front lawn of ARC Radio in Boonton N.J. The Voyager had a Learscope, LF Radio and an OMnigator 11 installed. The only problems was the inconvience of the "Big Tail" of the Station Wagon and it was near impossible to change the rear spark plugs with out removing the Franklin engines. However the engines were found very reliable.

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I owned two 1948 108-3s!
They are one of the safest planes one can fly!
They will not spin!! You have aileron control though the stall which is not really a stall but more of a falling leaf with NO break over!!!
I had the taxi in a cross wind issue due the vertical tail being so large!! (grin)

GREAT AIRPLANES !! Ü

To bad the Stinson family chose to not carry on when Stinson passed away!!

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I purchased a basket case 108-3 from a barn after 18 years near Portland, Oregon in early 2001. I have since retired and am completing a total restoration from the bare tubular frame up. One of the real aircraft upholstery experts is installing a beautiful interior and the Franklin engine will be completed soon to new specs. Fabric is Stits and is as near original as can be. i am looking forward to a lot of great flying in NC626C. Robert Luther, Huntsville, Alabama

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Bought my 1947 Stinson in the 70s a voyager 108-3 N8123K with a Lycoming engine. Flew out of Melbourne,Fl. Only problem I had was taxing in a high cross wind with that big tail. It was a great plane.

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Tachicawa AFB Japan "Chofo Aero Club" in 1963 we had Army surplus Stenson L-5s, variable pitch propellers, Lyc.180 /190 HP 6 cyl. engines, and wing leading edge slots. Tail Numbers 9881F and 9882F. Fun fling loops, spins, and hang from the prop power-on stalls.

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I just bought for restoration the Stinson 108-1 N97844 and I am looking for all information and photos concerning it. Thank you

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My uncle had one they used to make sales runs from RDU to NY. One trip back they some problem at night,just before getting to RDU. They could tell there was a clearing, didn't know what kind, but my other uncle who flew it, put it down and felt something slapping under it and though it was water, it was wheat. He had put it down in a wheat field. That was a long time ago.

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My Dad co-owned N97844. Got his solo in it. Flew a few trips from Ft. Myers, Fla. To Chattanooga, Tenn. Plane was fun and enjoyable.
I wonder where it is now.

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Great pic and really takes me back to some wonderful moments which led me into Air Traffic Control for 36 yrs.

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My old station wagon hauled my little family to many family gatherings from Houston Clover Field back in the mid 60's. And I looked for excuses to fly it to little country airports that had a "good" restaurant on or near the field. It flew easily and was stable but that big old Franklin engine burned a lot of fuel. I couldn't afford to fly it today. I agree the photo is not a Station Wagon.

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I had a Stison 108-3 "flying station wagon" I got my license on it. I will always love that aircraft. You feel you cold get in and out of anywhere with it. My old friend Tom Murphy, who instructed primary training in the 2nd world war and after also thought very highly of it. Eddie Stinson knew what He was doing.

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Why are Stinsons so well loved by all generations of pilots? Are they currently easily maintained to current standards?

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Why are Stinsons so well loved by all generations of pilots? Are they currently easily maintained to current standards?

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We had a flying club at the WV Air National Guard and I learned to fly in it. Obtained my privite in 1956. I was single at the time and about the only one who was able to afford it among the members, who were rasing families.
Great pic and really takes me back to some wonderful moments which led me into Air Traffic Control for 36 yrs.

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I was a Stinson 108-3 owner for 45 years. I sold it last year. I believe I have read every book, article etc about Stinsons. I have never heard of an inverted Franklin in a Stinson or any other aircraft.

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Great picts. I agree with Dennis Goodrich. My brother and I own a Stinson 105-10 which was built in 1940. The L5 was built on the same lines just a bit larger with a bigger engine. I'll be glad to send a photo if you have a way of receiving it.

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The Stinson Station Wagon and L-5 were two of the airplanes I really enjoyed flying. The L-5 in 1947 and Wagon at Cousins Air, Staten Island Airport, NY when I was going for my Commercial ticket in 1950.

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In the middle 60's, my friend, bought 108-3 N935C, in Phoenix. John, whose left arm had been amputated just below the shoulder, had never flown. John was in his forties when I started instructing him in his Stinson. Because of his handicap, we flew together about 20 hours before I felt comfortable soloing him. He did just fine and later got a waiver of "demonstrated ability". He had no restrictions on his license. He later traded his Stinson for a 1956 C182 and still later, got a 1966 C182. John was very active in the Arizona CAP and was credited with several aircraft finds, with lives saved.
John succumbed to cancer in June 1994. He was a great friend and we flew many hours together over the next 25 years. Of all my students, I was always most proud of my friend, Johnny Tyler.

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