STINSON VOYAGER AIRCRAFT

APPRAISALS

Models 108-1, 108-2 and 108-3

Remain Popular and Attractive First

Buyer Aircraft

The Stinson 108 Voyager is a light single-engine four-seat touring aircraft produced by the American manufacturer Stinson Aircraft Company a division of Consolidated Vultee, later by Piper Aircraft as the Piper Voyager also called Piper Flying Station Wagon. The Stinson 108 Voyager is a development of the pre-WWII Stinson Model 10 Voyager. After World War II, production of civil aircraft resumed, and the Stinson 108 Voyager appeared in 1946. It was an improved four seat version of the prewar Model 10 and was powered by a 150-hp Franklin engine. Subsequently, a 165-hp powerplant was used. The final version of the Voyager was produced in late 1948; the Model 108- 3 with the larger fuel tank and increased vertical tail are symbolic of the Stinson line. Piper Aircraft acquired the tooling and manufacturing rights in December 1948, and a few additional Voyagers were built before production was discontinued in 1950. Piper also produced the Stinson Station Wagon that was a light freighter version of the Voyager. By removing the two rear seats, space was made available for up to 640 pounds of cargo. The Station Wagon had a slightly lighter empty weight. Despite their pudgy appearance and antiquated design, Stinsons of all varieties have always possessed a certain synergistic attraction. In the late ’40s, they were the most popular four-seaters in the sky, the Skyhawks of their era. Eddie Stinson produced some 5,300 of the type before selling the design to Piper, which built only a few before shutting down the line. (It did produce the Twin Stinson, however, as the Apache.) Stinsons boasted a good payload, along with 105-knot cruise and 850-fpm climb flying at a max gross of 2,400 pounds. Combine that with reasonable short-field performance and the Stinson 108 represents a definite best buy among classic singles. The Stinson 108 series offers what are possibly the slickest controls on any certified airplane and a four-place cabin that’s vaguely reminiscent of an old station wagon. In fact, one of them was dubbed the “Station Wagon.” There are four variations (108, -1, -2, -3), but only the 108-3 is visually different from the rest—its huge, upswept fin was necessitated by the 165 hp (versus 150 hp) engine. The Franklin engines generally can’t be supported by your local FBO, but there are plenty of specialty shops for both the airframe and the engine. Give preference to a Lycoming conversion and Cleveland brake conversion. The STCs for the 220 hp Franklin or 230 hp Continental O-470 convert the mild-mannered limo into a serious hot rod. It’ll cruise at 115 to 120 mph, but cleanups and big motors push it closer to 150 mph. Metal conversions are available on many Stinsons. AERONUVO has access to up-to-date current market pricing data for the Stinson 108 aircraft and can provide a certified appraisal report. Our Premier and Certified Aircraft Appraisal Services include Aeronca, Aero Commander, American Champion (ACA), American General, Aviat Husky and Pitts, Beechcraft (Beech), Bellanca, Citabria, Cessna, Cirrus, CubCrafters (Cub Crafters), DAHER SOCATA, Diamond, Ercoupe, Glasair, Great Lakes, Grumman American, Lancair, Luscombe, Maule, Mooney, Piper, Rockwell Commander, Stinson and More.