1946 Stinson V-77 Gullwing - ACD Museum, August 2023
The Stinson Aircraft Company was founded in Dayton, Ohio in 1920 by Edward Stinson. By 1927, Northwest Airlines (now known as Delta Airlines) utilized Stinson aircraft in their fleet. E.L. Cord acquired 60% of Stinson stock in September 1929 through the Cord Corporation, which allowed Stinson to offer six aircraft models in 1930 and gave Cord his first foray into the world of air transportation. This Stinson V-77 was built for military use in WWII as a utility aircraft. Under the At-19 designation, it was used by the United States Army for training. Following the end of WWII, the surplus Stinson aircraft were sold on the civilian market as the V-77 Gullwing. This Stinson was completely restored with a wood instrument panel, leather seats and lace curtains.
SPECIFICATIONS Model: V-77 Gullwing Engine: Lycoming R-680-E3B 9-cylinder radial Horsepower: 300 at 2,200 rpm Wingspan: 41 feet, 3 inches Length: 28 feet, 3 inches – Height: 8 feet, 7 inches Maximum Speed: 145 mph Ceiling: 14,000 feet – Range: 575 miles Crew: Up to five – Armament: None Weight: 4,150 lbs.
MOVING A PLANE INSIDE Moving a plane inside a building is no easy feat. It took planning, scale drawings, and figuring out just the right angles to move the plane inside. The wings needed to be removed prior to installation inside the museum, while the horizontal stabilizers stayed on. Once the plane was inside, the wings were carefully installed using a forklift, soft moving cloths and a team of knowledgeable volunteers.
