NOTE:
RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The origins of the Stinson 108 Voyager
trace back to the early 1940's. It was at that time that Stinson Aviation took
their popular pre WW II model and used it as the basis for a new
aircraft.
The first of the new aircraft retained the three place seating
arrangement of its predecessor. The fuselage was stretched by approximately 24
inches and it had a more powerful engine.
Subsequent models used metal
tail fins instead of wood. The horizontal stab was relocated to a higher
position. They provided seating for four, even more powerful engines, lengthened
the fuselage an additional foot, and increased the width of the
cabin.
The purpose of the new Stinson 108 Voyager was to provide
comfortable transportation for up to four people across relatively long
distances. Prior Stinson aircraft were set up for shorter distances and often
thought of as trainers.
Later some Voyager aircraft were even fitted
with pontoons. Newer models continued to have power upgrades. Some had stronger
floors and a door to access the baggage compartment, plus additional cargo
capacity. These were known as the Stinson 108 Flying Station Wagon which joined
the Stinson 108 Voyager in production.
More improvements followed
including a larger tail group with rudder trim now adjustable in flight. Gaps
were installed across the wing's leading edge to coincide with the positioning
of the ailerons on the trailing edge of the Voyager wings. These permit the
aircraft to remain in controlled flight at slower speeds and with its nose
held
higher than normal.
Flying the Stinson 108 Voyager is a bit like flying a large
four passenger Cub. It is a lot of fun.
Taking off is as simple as
lining up the aircraft with the center of the runway and advancing the
throttle.
Although the Voyager has a reasonably sized engine, there
is a bit of mass to get into the air. Prop wash will get the tail up quickly and
the aircraft will float into the air soon thereafter. If the wind is pretty much
straight down the runway, minimal rudder is necessary to track
straight.
The climb rate of the Stinson 108 is rather leisurely. The
controls are very smooth and light. It is an easy to handle, stable aircraft.
Stalls are light and controllable. Cruising at 124 mph will result in about a
10 gph fuel consumption rate.
Depending on who you talk to, landing the
Voyager can be interesting. A slow approach will result in a fast loss of
altitude and the need to apply power for a proper flare, all while the aircraft
is under total control. Waiting until the last moment to apply throttle will
keep the roll out short, and the landing exciting.
A plus is that the landing
gear struts tend to smooth out less than perfect touch
downs.
We want to thank
Larry Westin whose website is "The Stinson 108 Voyager and Flying Station
Wagon" for the information
which he provided to us about the aircraft.
Larry tells us, “One important point - for those pilots
who were trained on an airplane equipped with training wheels (tri-cycle landing
gear), the Stinson 108 may be a challenge to fly. Personally I believe the
Stinson 108 is easier to fly, especially take off and landing, than say a Cessna
140 or 170. But that is just my opinion.”
Over 5,260 Stinson 108
aircraft of all types were produced. Many continue flying to this date.
Pictured directly above is the rc Goldberg Stinson 108 Voyager ARF. Its wingspan
is 81" and length is 61 1/2". Engines can be from .75 to 1.08 two stroke or .91
to 1.20 four stroke. Weight is about 11 3/4 lbs.
Pictured first below is the rc Stinson 108 ARF for sale by Hobby-Lobby. Wingspan is 51", length is 38
1/2", weight is about 2 1/2 lbs. You will need a 1035 kV motor for power.
Hobby-Lobby has a giant scale ARF Stinson 108 rc airplane for sale
as shown in the second picture below. Its wingspan is 108 1/2" and length is
81". It needs 26 cc or bigger engines or the equivalent electric motor power.
Its weight is around 20 lbs.
For an interesting build threat about a 74" wingspan rc Stinson Voyager, check out PBoynton at RC Groups.
Kit Cutters has a rc giant scale Stinson Voyager kit for sale made from Morgan/Novak Plans.
Its wingspan is 101". Float kits are also available for it as well as separate plans.
The next picture is of a 108" wingspan Stinson 108 Voyager kit by
Kit Cutters from Wendell Hostetler Plans. Length is 80" and weight is 15 lbs.
It is made for electric motor power.
There are Wendell Hostetler Plans available from Kit Cutters as well as a kit for a rc Stinson Voyager EP with a 40" wingspan.
Kit Cutters has a Dick Katz design rc Stinson Voyager kit
for sale. It builds to a wingspan of 56" and a length of 40". A .25 engine will
power the scale model airplane.
There are enlarged plans from Dick Katz
available through Kit Cutters that is also available as a kit for the rc Stinson
Voyager. Its wingspan is 85".
We have seen Ikon N'wst rc Stinson Voyager
kits for sale at various websites and eBay. Their giant scale model has a
wingspan of 100", uses from 38 to 42 cc engines, and weighs about 16
lbs.
Another kit for the Stinson 108 Voyager seen on eBay is from Earl
Stahl. The rubber powered FF model can be converted to a 35" wingspan electric
powered rc model.
Graupner has a ARF Stinson 108 Voyager park flyer for
sale with a 30" wingspan, and a 23" length. It needs Speed 300 size motor
power.
Dumas has an all balsawood Stinson Voyager kit for rc with a
wingspan of 40". It can use a geared Speed 300 size motor to power
it.
Pat's Customs Models has a rc Stinson Voyager kit that builds to a
48" wingspan. Recommended power is a Speed 280 geared motor. Plans are also
available.
Pat's Custom Models has a kit or plan for a Stinson Voyager
with a 60" wingspan. It can use a Speed 400 geared motor.
RC Groups recently had a Realistic Models rc Stinson 108 Voyager for sale. Wingspan is
101", engines can be 35 cc or larger, and weight is about 20 lbs.
The final picture on this page is of the ARF Stinson 108 Voyager from Eurolight,
Germany. It has a wingspan of 106" with a length of 77". Suggested engines are
from 28 to 53 cc. Weight is around 24 lbs.
Stinson 108 Voyager
