General History

The idea of the Stinson Airliner was that of financier, E. L. Cord, who owned the Aubourn-Cord-Dusenburg automobile companies.  Cord also owned Lycoming, which was the engine manufacturer as well as Century Airlines.  This Stinson Model T airliner was built in 1931 at the Stinson Aircraft Factory in Wayne, Michigan.  The fuselage is welded steel tube construction, the wings are built of wood and then the entire structure is covered with fabric.  Many early airline companies used the Stinson Tri-Motor including Eastern, Delta, American, Braniff, TWA and United.  Cheaper to fly than many of its competitors, such as the Ford Tri-Motor, and competitively priced at less than $26,000, the Stinson Tri-Motor was the hottest thing on the market.  Sporting hot and cold water, toilet facilities, a cabin heater and a two-way radio, the Tri-Motor could carry a pilot, mail, baggage and 10 passengers.

Personal History

This aircraft began life with Century Airlines, which eventually became part of American Airlines.  After airline service, it was used for rides and sightseeing.  During World War II it was put back into airline service with Wein Alaska Airlines.  After the war, it was retired from service and left abandoned.  It deteriorated rapidly as people robbed parts, cut pieces off of it and even lived in it.  Bill Brennand of Wisconsin found the aircraft in derelict condition in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1970.  It was questionable whether it could be restored to flying condition but a tremendous amount of technical data was found and restoration began in 1977.  It was restored over a period of 4 1/2 years using over 10,000 man-hours.  After making its first post-restoration flight in 1981, Bill used it to “barnstorm” passengers around the country at different events and air shows over the years.  Bill won many awards with the aircraft until Kermit purchased it at an auction in 1999.

Kermit Comment

The only other high-wing Stinson Tri-Motor left in existence is owned by Greg Herrick in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  When I flew this aircraft back from Oshkosh, Wisconsin in August of 2000, it was only a short flight over to Minneapolis where we hooked up with Greg for a photo flight and got pictures of these last 2 rare aircraft flying together.

In 1930, a Century Airlines Stinson Tri-Motor flight from Chicago to St. Louis took 2 hours and forty minutes and cost $13.95.  I think the food was good as well.