Top 10 list

Several have asked why restore a Gullwing Stinson?  I have loved the art deco look of the airplane since I first saw one.  When I was around 16, we visited a local friend who had a V-77 fuselage in his garage.  It’s size was very impressive.....anytime you have to use a ladder to get in, you know it’s big!

So I put together my top ten list of reasons to restore a Gullwing Stinson:

1. Debbie said okay
2. Can’t afford a Beech Staggerwing 
3. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for one, and sized my hangar just in case
4. Great parking at Oshkosh
5. Room for 5 to travel in comfort like in an old Packard
6. A round engine....can’t beat the sound
7. All metal primary structure......built like a tank
8. When we show it at airshows, we can be proud that we will have done most of the work
9. By starting with the bare bones and doing most of the work myself, I’ll really know the airplane when finished
10. Another chance to help preserve aviation history while expanding my mechanical knowledge and ability, like learning to rib stitch or maintaining a radial engine

Here is a picture of the airplane Wade found on the internet from long ago:

Time for round two

About 10 years ago, I somehow convinced Debbie we should restore a Stinson 108-2.  This blog has chronicled that journey, plus all the fun we’ve had flying it since.  Now we embark on the next chapter.

We have purchased a Gullwing Stinson for restoration.  It is a 1943 V-77 that saw service in the British Royal Navy during WWII through a lend lease program between the U.S. and Great Britain.  So, it qualifies as a war bird!  After the war it came back home and went through a refurbishment program at the factory for civilian use.

It is in Florida and I plan to pick it up and U-Haul it home in mid-December.  It is in decent shape compared to N678RD.  So, maybe it won’t take as long.  Stayed tuned and we’ll chronicle this restoration, too.

What a finished V-77 looks like

Fuslage

300 HP Lycoming radial engine and prop

Wings