Buying a Stinson? Talk to us before you write the cheque.
We would rather help you find a good airplane than watch you inherit someone else's problem. Here is what experienced owners wish they had known first — no membership required to read it.
Before you buy
The 108 series (108, 108-1, 108-2, 108-3) covers most of the fleet, with meaningful differences in gross weight, fuel capacity, and tail size. Earlier Reliants and Voyagers are a different proposition entirely.
A general A&P will miss things a Stinson person catches immediately. Use the club to find a mechanic who knows the airframe before you send a deposit anywhere.
Wing spar and rear spar corrosion, fabric condition and its paperwork, gear box and lift strut attach points, fuel tank sealing, and Franklin engine parts availability.
The purchase price is rarely the expensive part. Fabric, an engine, or a corrosion repair can exceed what you paid for the airplane — plan for it before you commit.
Almost every member will happily tell you what they wish they had known. That conversation is free and it is the single best thing you can do before buying.
Pre-buy inspection guides
Download the club's pre-buy checklists for the 108 series and the earlier radial Stinsons. Take them to your mechanic and work through them before you commit.
Pre-buy guides are being added shortly. In the meantime, ask in the forum — members will happily walk you through what to check.
Common questions
Ready for the next step?
Members get the technical library, the owner directory for finding a type-savvy mechanic near you, and the forum where every one of these questions has been argued out in detail. At just $40 per year, it is the cheapest insurance you will buy in this process.