The Stinson 108 is a popular single-engine, four-seat, light general aviation aircraft produced by the Stinson division of the American airplane company Consolidated Vultee, from immediately after World War II to 1950 (by which time Stinson was a division of Piper Aircraft). The 108 was developed from the prewar Model 10A Voyager (also known as the "Stinson 105").[1] [2] [3]
First built in 1946 – as a stretched derivative of the Model 10A / 105 Voyager – more than 5,000 of the model 108 Voyager (or Station Wagon) were produced by Stinson, before the company was acquired by Piper Aircraft in late 1948.[4]
When Piper took over the 108 line, a number of model 108s built by Stinson were completed, but unsold, and went to Piper as part of the acquisition. Piper then sold that inventory as the Piper-Stinson over the next few years. Some reports appear to indicate that 108 production and/or sales continued under Piper until 1949, 1950 or 1951.
In all, 5,260 Stinson (or Piper-Stinson) 108s were reportedly built Most models were named "Voyager" (like the preceding 10A/105), but some were named "Station Wagon," reflecting interior modifications to accommodate cargo.
The single-engine, four-seat, fixed-gear, high-wing, Stinson 108 series was built with a six-cylinder Franklin engine -- 150hp 6A4-150, or 165hp 6A4-165, normally -- driving a fixed-pitch propeller.[5] [6]
The fuselage is of fabric-covered steel tube. Aftermarket modifiers have obtained supplemental type certificates (STC) allowing conversion to an aluminum covering. Many different engines have been installed in the 108 by STC such as the Lycoming O-360, Franklin O-350, Continental O-470.
One distinctive feature is the partial leading edge slot installed on the wings and aligned with the ailerons on the trailing edge, ensuring that the portion of the wing containing the aileron remains unstalled at higher angles of attack, thus contributing to docile stall behavior.
The 108 initially proved popular, with 746 examples built in 1946, while production in 1947 was almost half of all 4-seat private aircraft built in the United States, with the Stinson division the only part of Convair that was profitable for a time.
In 1948, however, overproduction in the US general aviation industry led to a glut of light aircraft, with unsold 108s being stored, and on 30 June 1948, Convair shut down the Stinson factory. The name and assets of Stinson (including 200 unsold 108s) were sold to Piper Aircraft on 1 December 1948, with Piper setting up a Stinson division in April 1949 to sell the complete aircraft inherited from Convair, and to assemble a further 125 aircraft from spare parts. These aircraft were marketed as Piper-Stinson 108s.
Total new production of the Stinson Model 108, by Stinson, was 5,260; this total does not include the two converted prototypes. Stinson delivered approximately 4,935 aircraft and Piper delivered approximately 325 aircraft. Piper later sold the type certificate to Univair Aircraft Corporation. Univair built and certified the model 108-5, but built only one example. Total new model production by Stinson and Univair was 5,261 aircraft.
The 108 variants closely resemble each other but can be visually distinguished by their design changes: