Powerplant: 1 x 80 hp Continental A-80 piston engine
History
The Stinson 105 was introduced at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City by the Stinson Aircraft Manufacturing Division, in Wayne, Michigan. The model was also known as the HW-75
The Stinson 105 featured a fabric-covered welded steel tube fuselage and high-wing wooden wings. A 90-horsepower Franklin engine and leading edge slots in the wings gave great short field performance. A total of 277 were built.
The French Government placed a substantial order but only a few were ever to see service.
Since the United States was a neutral country, it was not possible for it to trade with a belligerent. To circumvent this, the Stinsons for the French Government were flown to Canada with civilian registrations, loaded onto ships in Nova Scotia and delivered to France.
One such shipment of 33 aircraft was passing through Canada when France capitulated. Twenty five of the shipment were taken over by the RCAF and used as light communication aircraft.
RCAF Service: The Stinson 105s,were used for light-communication and courier duties, as well as wireless training within the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). The aircraft was also used for aircrew to maintain their proficiency.
History of The Aircraft on Display
CF-BST was taken on strength by the RCAF on September 23, 1940, and assigned the military serial number 3468.
The aircraft was operated by No. 12 (Communications) Squadron at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario,
The dark blue overall finish, indicates its role as a staff transport. It was later based in Winnipeg in 1945.
The aircraft was restored in 2017.
The Aircraft is on loan to the museum by Tim Schinkel.
