Engineering:Stinson Detroiter

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Detroiter
Stinson SM-1F NC8468 with Inter-City Air Line AL77C-038 (14541100063).jpg
Stinson SM-1F
Role Utility monoplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Stinson Aircraft Syndicate
Stinson Aircraft Company
First flight 25 January 1926
Number built 100+
Variants Stinson Junior

The Stinson Detroiter was a six-seat cabin airliner for passengers or freight designed and built by the Stinson Aircraft Syndicate, later the Stinson Aircraft Corporation. Two distinct designs used the Detroiter name, a biplane and a monoplane.

Development

The first design from the Detroit-based Stinson Aircraft Syndicate was the Stinson SB-1 Detroiter, a four-seat cabin biplane with novel features such as cabin heating, individual wheel brakes and electric starter for the nose-mounted 220 hp (164 kW) Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine. It made its first flight on Jan 25th, 1926.[1] The Harley Davidson brakes were demonstrated on a snowy maiden flight requiring wheel chains to be added to prevent skidding.[2] This aircraft was soon developed into the six-seat Stinson SM-1D Detroiter, a braced high-wing monoplane version which ultimately made quite a number of significant long-range flights.[3][4] The aircraft was soon a success and it enabled Stinson to get $150,000 in public capital to incorporate the Stinson Aircraft Corporation on 4 May 1926.[4]

Seventy-five of the Wright J-5-powered versions were built, followed by 30 Wright J-6-powered aircraft. From 1928, SM-1 aircraft were used on scheduled services by Paul Braniff's Braniff Air Lines and by Northwest Airways.[5]

In 1930 a SM-1FS with a crew of three reached Bermuda from New York City , the first flight ever to the islands. Getting there the aircraft had to land twice, once because of darkness and later after running out of fuel. With a wing strut damaged, it was shipped back to New York.[6]

In 1928 Stinson developed the smaller SM-2 Junior model to appeal to private owners.

Variants

A Stinson SB-1 Detroiter biplane as originally built
SB-1 Detroiter
Original biplane version with a 220hp (164kW) Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine. 26 units built. Prototype sold to Horace Elgin Dodge, first production model sold to John Duval Dodge of Dodgeson.[7]
SM-1D
High-wing monoplane version with a 220hp (164kW) Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine.
SM-1DA
As SM-1D with detailed improvements.
SM-1DB
As SM-1D with minor improvements
SM-1DC
As SM-1D with detailed improvements.
SM-1DD
Freighter variant with two seats and cargo-carrying interior, one built.
SM-1DE
Freighter variant with two seats and cargo-carrying interior, one built.
SM-1DX
variant powered with a 225hp Packard DR-980 Diesel engine, one built and first diesel powered aircraft to fly.
SM-1F
Variant from 1929 with a 300hp (224kW) Wright J-6 engine.
SM-1D300
SM-1Ds modified with a 300hp (224kW) Wright J-6 engine.
SM-1FS
Floatplane variant of the SM-1F.
SM-6B
A larger capacity six-seat variant with a 450hp (336kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp C1 radial engine, two were built followed by eight more with eight-seat interiors.
SM-7B
Originally powered by a 300hp (220kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engine, five were built each year in 1928, 1929 and 1930. E.L. Cord's personal plane was operated for several years during/after World War II by Western Air Express with (illegally) a 450hp (336kW) Pratt; subsequently restored in 1980-2020 with a legal 300hp Lycoming R-680.[8]
SM-8A
Five-seat model, originally powered by a 300hp (220kW) Lycoming R-680 radial engine. Cruise 100 mph.[9]

Operators

 Republic of China
  • China National Aviation Corporation
  • China Airways Federal
  • Shanghai-Chengtu Airways (1920s–30s)[10][11]
 Peru
 United States
  • Braniff Air Lines
  • North American Airways[13]
  • Northwest Airways
 Honduras

Specifications (SM-1F)

Stinson SM-1 3-view drawing from L'Aérophile September,1927

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 pilot
  • Capacity: 6 passengers
  • Length: 32 ft 0 in (9.75 m)
  • Wingspan: 46 ft 8 in (14.22 m)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright J-6 , 300 hp (224 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 132 mph (212 km/h, 115 kn)

See also

Related development

  • Faucett F-19

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Juptner, Joseph (1962). U. S. Civil Aircraft Series, Vol 1.. AERO Publishing, Inc.. pp. 74. 
  2. ↑ John A. Bluth. Stinson Aircraft Company. p. 26. 
  3. ↑ Juptner, Joseph (1962). U. S. Civil Aircraft Series. Vol 1.. AERO Publishing, Inc.. pp. 53. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Stinson Aircraft Corporation". http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/GENERAL_AVIATION/stinson/GA2.htm. 
  5. ↑ Davies, 1998, p. 734
  6. ↑ UNUSUAL PLACE – UNUSUAL STORY – HEROIC CREW
  7. ↑ John A. Bluth. Stinson Aircraft Company. p. 27. 
  8. ↑ Blancolirio, Juan: "1930 Stinson 'Detroiter' Maiden Flight after 40 Years," August 2020, YouTube, retrieved May 20, 2023
  9. ↑ "About the Stinson SM8A 'Detroiter'," Port Townsend Aero Museum, retrieved May 20, 2023
  10. ↑ "CNAC History". http://www.cnac.org/history01.htm. 
  11. ↑ "Stinson Detroiter". 12 December 2010. http://gregcrouch.com/2010/stinson-detroiter. 
  12. ↑ "Airlines of the World: The Americas – Cia de Aviacion Faucett" (PDF). Flight: 420. 28 April 1938. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1938/1938%20-%201206.html. Retrieved 1 March 2012. 
  13. ↑ "Airliners of North America". Aerofiles. http://www.aerofiles.com/airlines-am.html. 
Bibliography
  • Davies, R.E.G. (1998). Airlines of the United States since 1914. Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 1-888962-08-9. 
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. 
  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing. 
  • Simpson, R.W. (1991). Airlife's General Aviation. England: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-194-X. 

External links



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