JohnB96041

This is a photo of my Dad sometime in the mid 40's at the Hutchinson, Kansas airport. What is the airplane? If I could identify it, I would like to build a RC aircraft of it.

JohnB96041

Hope someone can identify for me. Thanks.

brad59

My Feedback: (32)

looks like a Stinson Detroiter

Robinaire

My Feedback: (23)

It looks lika a Fairchild 24W. The W stands for a Warner engine radial . The 24R had a Ranger inverted in-line engine, such as used on the PT-19 trainer. The owner of my local airport, at Conway, PA, near Pgh, had one there with the Warner Super Scarab, which was 185 HP. Somewhere in my "blessed mess" I have a pic of it. I'll see if I can find it. Lee Robinson W. Palm Beach

brad59

My Feedback: (32)

Sorry Lee,
It's not a Fairchild. The Fairchild is smaller. The engine in this pic looks Like a Wright Whirlwind with a front exhaust collector. The Fairchild with the Warner has no front exhaust and the engine is tiny compared to the one shown in the pic. There is a F 24W in the museum here where I work....just saw it yesterday.
After looking at some photos I quite sure it's NOT a Stinson Detroiter. Someone else will have to chime in.....

Saburo Sakai

Early DeHavilland Beaver? Here's a water Beav. I see difference in canopy windshield segments but she's got the wide body and the Wright engine. The undercarraige on your airplane looks unusual. Maybe a convert from water?Ain't airplane history neat? God bless!

TankHunter

My Feedback: (1)

Try this one

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_Robin

brad59

My Feedback: (32)

Not a Robin either......
Front windows are to big I think

Silvaire

My Feedback: (50)

There's no question in my mind that this a version of the Stinson Detroiter, and that it is powered by a 9 cylinder Wright engine.

If you take a little time researching pictures showing the details of various Stinson Detroiters, you should be able narrow it down to the exact model and particular Wright engine variation (some sort of an R-975, I'd guess).

The Detroiters were very popular "mini airliners" in their time. They were produced for many years and had a number of different engine options.

Many Stinson Detroiters ended up being used as bush planes after they were past their prime, and were often refitted with Pratt & Whitney R-985's.

JohnB96041

Thanks to everyone for their help. I will do some research on the Stinson Detroiter and see what I can find. Please keep trying.

cfircav8r

My Feedback: (1)

If you can get a better look at the full NC number you can look it up in the registry http://aerofiles.com/regs-home.html

Silvaire

My Feedback: (50)

After a little more searching...

I am pretty sure that this airplane is a Stinson SM-8A Detroiter Junior. The engine would not be a Wright, but a Lycoming R-680.

This example has an attractive engine cowl that would be typical on a personal or corporate aircraft. Most "working" Stinsons did not have cowls.

brad59

My Feedback: (32)

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/696484.html

Silvaire, I think you might be correct. See the link to an existing Detroiter Jr. in California with a cowl and R-680!
Brad

culver

Travelair 6000 maybe but stab elevator outline says stinson

Silvaire

My Feedback: (50)

brad59,

The example in your link differs somewhat from an original Stinson SM-8A. I think the engine on this particular example is a later version rear exhaust 300 hp Lycoming R680E, rather than the original 225 HP Lycoming with a front exhaust collector. It also has a "bump cowl" fitted to it rather than a smooth cowl like on the airplane pictured by the OP.


As a side note, both Stinson and Lycoming were owned/controlled by E.L Cord at one time.

Cord founded the Cord Corporation in 1929 as a holding company for over 150 companies he controlled, mostly in the field of transportation. The corporation controlled the Auburn Automobile Company, which built the Auburn Automobile and the Cord Automobile; Lycoming Engines; Duesenberg Inc.; New York Shipbuilding; Checker Cab; Stinson Aircraft Company; and American Airways (later American Airlines), amongst other holdings.

And all this at the tender young age of 35!

phase3f16

My Feedback: (1)

Im a little late on this anser but it is in fact a Stinson Jr.

tokpilot

Looks like a Bellanca to me

eddieC

My Feedback: (2)

Er, Bellanca made many types. What's your guess?  

It's a Detroiter. Gear legs, jury struts, windows (especially windscreen layout), and overall size.

Good luck on the build, it's a classic.