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The Stinson Aircraft Company of Wayne, Michigan built the Model O to serve as a training and utility aircraft. Based on the company’s popular Reliant series, the Model O was first developed in response to a query from the Honduran government, who needed aircraft to develop their own air force. Robert L. Hall, known for his work on Gee Bee designs, was hired by Stinson in 1933 and served as project engineer. Although intended as a trainer, the Model O could be fitted with light armament.
Just nine Model Os were ever built. Stinson eventually delivered five to Honduras, where the military used them for training and anti-insurgency operations. Another three aircraft later went to China and one to Brazil. The prototype remained in the United States and served as a civil trainer in California. The Model O is the only open cockpit monoplane built by Stinson.
Jeff Paulson of Overall Aircraft Services & Restoration of Scappoose, Oregon built the Museum’s Model O reproduction in the early 2000s after learning that no aircraft of the type remained in existence. Without any remaining original drawings, he used 20 photographs as the basis for the 28-month project. Paulson assigned Manufacturer’s Serial Number 10 to the finished airplane—the last Model O of the original production run of nine. First taking to the air in March 2010, it logged 200 flight hours before its retirement. It was donated to the Museum in 2012 by Brad Poling and Jim Teel of Sacramento, California.
The Museum’s Model O has appeared at many regional air shows. In 2010, Jeff Paulson flew the plane cross-country to the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) show at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There, it won a coveted Lindy award for Replica Aircraft Champion.
The Stinson Aircraft Company of Wayne, Michigan built the Model O to serve as a training and utility aircraft. Based on the company’s popular Reliant series, the Model O was first developed in response to a query from the Honduran government, who needed aircraft to develop their own air force. Robert L. Hall, known for his work on Gee Bee designs, was hired by Stinson in 1933 and served as project engineer. Although intended as a trainer, the Model O could be fitted with light armament.
Just nine Model Os were ever built. Stinson eventually delivered five to Honduras, where the military used them for training and anti-insurgency operations. Another three aircraft later went to China and one to Brazil. The prototype remained in the United States and served as a civil trainer in California. The Model O is the only open cockpit monoplane built by Stinson.
Jeff Paulson of Overall Aircraft Services & Restoration of Scappoose, Oregon built the Museum’s Model O reproduction in the early 2000s after learning that no aircraft of the type remained in existence. Without any remaining original drawings, he used 20 photographs as the basis for the 28-month project. Paulson assigned Manufacturer’s Serial Number 10 to the finished airplane—the last Model O of the original production run of nine. First taking to the air in March 2010, it logged 200 flight hours before its retirement. It was donated to the Museum in 2012 by Brad Poling and Jim Teel of Sacramento, California.
The Museum’s Model O has appeared at many regional air shows. In 2010, Jeff Paulson flew the plane cross-country to the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) show at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There, it won a coveted Lindy award for Replica Aircraft Champion.
