Stinson Detroiter

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.{{Cite book|last=Juptner|first=Joseph|title=U. S. Civil Aircraft Series, Vol 1.|publisher=AERO Publishing, Inc.|year=1962|pages=74}} The Harley Davidson brakes were demonstrated on a snowy maiden flight requiring wheel chains to be added to prevent skidding.{{cite book|title=Stinson Aircraft Company|author=John A. Bluth|page=26}} 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.{{Cite book|last=Juptner|first=Joseph|title=U. S. Civil Aircraft Series. Vol 1.|publisher=AERO Publishing, Inc.|year=1962|pages=53}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/GENERAL_AVIATION/stinson/GA2.htm |title=Stinson Aircraft Corporation |access-date=2009-01-23 |archive-date=2006-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060106052234/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/GENERAL_AVIATION/stinson/GA2.htm |url-status=dead }} 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.

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.Davies, 1998, p. 734

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.[http://oldqslcards.com/UNUSUAL_PLACE.pdf UNUSUAL PLACE – UNUSUAL STORY – HEROIC CREW]

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

File:Stinson SB-1 Detroiter biplane (first version) 2.jpg

;SB-1 Detroiter

:Original biplane version with a 220 hp (164 kW) Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine. 26 units built. Prototype sold to Horace Elgin Dodge, first production model sold to John Duval Dodge of Dodgeson.{{cite book|title=Stinson Aircraft Company|author=John A. Bluth|page=27}}

;SM-1D

:High-wing monoplane version with a 220 hp (164 kW) 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 225 hp Packard DR-980 Diesel engine, one built and first diesel powered aircraft to fly.

;SM-1F

:Variant from 1929 with a 300 hp (224 kW) Wright J-6 engine.

;SM-1D300

:SM-1Ds modified with a 300 hp (224 kW) Wright J-6 engine.

;SM-1FS

:Floatplane variant of the SM-1F.

;SM-6B

:Also known as the Stinson Wasp{{cite book |author= |date=1930 |title=1930–1931 Directory of Approved American Airplanes: With Complete Specifications and Photos |url= |location=Los Angeles |publisher=Western Flying Magazine |page= |isbn=}} — a larger capacity six-seat variant with a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp C1 radial engine, two were built followed by eight more with eight-seat interiors.

;SM-7B

:Originally powered by a 300 hp (220 kW) 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 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt; subsequently restored in 1980–2020 with a legal 300 hp Lycoming R-680.Browne, Juan (blancolirio channel): [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvAjaRuGF2o "1930 Stinson 'Detroiter' Maiden Flight after 40 Years,"] August 2020, YouTube, retrieved May 20, 2023

;SM-8A

:Five-seat model, originally powered by a 300 hp (220 kW) Lycoming R-680 radial engine. Cruise 100 mph.[https://ptaeromuseum.com/airplane-exhibit/1930-stinson-sm-8a-detroiter-brown/ "About the Stinson SM8A 'Detroiter',"] Port Townsend Aero Museum, retrieved May 20, 2023

;{{ROC}}

• China National Aviation Corporation
• China Airways Federal
• Shanghai-Chengtu Airways (1920s–30s){{Cite web|url=http://www.cnac.org/history01.htm|title=CNAC History}}{{Cite web|url=http://gregcrouch.com/2010/stinson-detroiter|title = Stinson Detroiter|date = 12 December 2010}}

;{{PER}}

• Faucett{{cite journal|title= Airlines of the World: The Americas – Cia de Aviacion Faucett|journal= Flight|date= 28 April 1938|page= 420|format= PDF|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1938/1938%20-%201206.html|access-date= 1 March 2012}}
• Peruvian Air Force

;{{USA}}

• Braniff Air Lines
• North American Airways{{cite web | url = http://www.aerofiles.com/airlines-am.html | title = Airliners of North America | publisher = Aerofiles | access-date = 20 May 2020}}
• Northwest Airways

;{{HON}}

• Three aircraft of this model were bought by Honduran Air Force (1933)

File:Stinson_SM-1_3-view_L'Aérophile_September,1927.png

{{Aircraft specs

|prime units? = imp

|crew=1 pilot

|capacity=6 passengers

|length m=9.75

|length ft=32

|length in=0

|span m=14.22

|span ft=46

|span in=8

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Wright J-6

|eng1 kw=224

|eng1 hp=300

|max speed kmh=212

|max speed mph=132

}}

{{aircontent

|see also=

|related=

• Faucett F-19

|similar aircraft=

• Paramount Cabinaire

|lists=

}}

;Notes

{{reflist}}

;Bibliography

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|last=Davies|first=R.E.G.|title=Airlines of the United States since 1914|year=1998|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|isbn=1-888962-08-9}}
• {{cite book |last= Taylor |first= Michael J. H. |title=Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation |year=1989 |publisher=Studio Editions |location=London }}
• {{cite book |title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985)|publisher= Orbis Publishing}}
• {{cite book |last=Simpson |first= R.W.|title= Airlife's General Aviation|year=1991 |publisher= Airlife Publishing|location= England |isbn=1-85310-194-X}}

{{refend}}

{{commons category|Stinson Detroiter}}

• [http://www.aerofiles.com/_stin.html aerofiles]
• {{cite journal |date=May 13, 1926 |title=The Stinson-Detroiter: An American Commercial Cabin 'Plane |journal=Flight |volume=XVIII |issue=19 |pages=283–284 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1926/1926%20-%200329.html |access-date=October 16, 2012}}

{{Stinson aircraft}}

Detroiter

Category:1920s United States civil utility aircraft

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft

Category:High-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1926

Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear

Category:Single-engined piston aircraft