A Really, Super Stinson

     In the late 1940's, Stinson Aircraft was producing what was then touted 

as "The World's Most Popular Four Place Airplane". Two models were offered 

in the 108 series, the "Voyager" and the "Flying Station Wagon". The main 

differences being that the Station Wagon version has a beefed up floor in 

the rear passenger area, the rear seats could be quickly removed for 

carrying up to 640 pounds of cargo, and the rear seat sidewalls were lined 

with mahogany plywood. Stinson airplanes are known to be very stable and 

have excellent flight characteristics. Both models have fixed wing slots 

that are built into the wing. These are in the leading edge forward of the 

ailerons, and enhance control at slow speeds. The Stinson 108 is reluctant 

to stall, and the slots in the wings help to keep the ailerons effective 

which makes recovery easy and graceful.

     EAA Chapter 902 members Tim and Jennifer Austen are working to completely 

restore a 1949 Stinson 108-3 Station Wagon. They are converting their 

"Wagon" into a "Super Stinson" by installing a 230 horsepower Continental 

0-470-R engine. Station Wagons typically came from the factory with a 165 

horsepower Franklin engine. This airplane was purchased in non-flying condition 

approximately one year ago. The wings were removed for transportation and it was 

brought home on a trailer from southern California. The fuselage was completely 

disassembled right down to the bare tube steel frame. The frame was then sand 

blasted, inspected, repaired, and painted. The freshly painted frame was then 

mounted on a pair of stands, similar in design to an engine stand. The stands 

allowed the frame to be rotated easily to almost any angle during the process of 

rebuilding. While everything was exposed, the baggage area was extended to a 

length of nearly five feet. The battery was moved aft and is located under the 

floor of the baggage compartment. The extended baggage compartment and relocated 

battery help to balance the center of gravity when the heavier engine is 

installed. A new, laser cut, custom lettered instrument panel of Tim's own 

design has been installed. All new wiring, floorboard material, interior, wood 

paneling on the sides of the back seat area, stringers, and fabric covering has 

been installed. As of this writing the fuselage stands on its landing gear, 

the fabric has been covered with a primer coat and has been painted. The wings 

and ailerons have also been stripped, repaired, recovered, painted and are 

ready to be installed on the fuselage.

     Tim and Jennifer expect to have the airplane finished and flying as a land 

plane by this summer. They also have plans to install Bauman 2720 floats on the 

airplane a short time later, although the installation of these particular floats 

is not yet approved.

     Tim has recently purchased the STC for the old "PDX Super Stinson kit" (which 

is the 0-470 conversion for the 108 series aircraft). He and Jennifer have obtained 

a PMA, parts manufacturing approval, to produce parts for this kit under the business 

name of, "Super Stinson Modifications, LLC". The modification kit includes an extensive 

list of parts for the installation of a Continental 0-470 engine, a constant speed 

propeller, and float attach fittings. Plans are underway to include additional 

conversion items in this kit that must currently be purchased separately or altered. 

Tim also has purchased a separate STC approving the installation of EDO 2440 floats 

on Super Stinsons. For more information regarding either STC, feel free to contact 

Tim at (503)-632-1958 or e-mail tjausten@bctonline.com

     The performance numbers for a stock Stinson 108-3 with a Franklin 165 engine 

are as follows. Take off: ground roll 980 ft., Rate of climb: 600 feet per minute. 

Cruise speed at 75% power: 109 kts. The performance numbers for a Stinson with the 

230 H.P. Continental 0-470 engine and a constant speed propeller are greatly improved. 

Take off: ground roll in as little as 250 ft., Rate of climb: 1,750 feet per minute. 

Upon completion, this will be the second Stinson 108-3 with the Continental 0-470 

conversion that Tim has built. You may have seen the first one, which he sold in 1999. 

It has been docked at Wileys Seaplane Base in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

     When this project is finished it truly will be a "Super Stinson", and Tim says, 

"I intend to keep this one!"