Stinson L-9 Restoration by Air Heritage

This aircraft was manufactured by Stinson Aircraft Division, of Vultee Aircraft, Inc., and approved by Mr. A. P. Fontaine, Chief Engineer on April 21, 1941. This aircraft was manufactured as a Model 10A, powered by a 90 hp engine made by Aircooled Motors, Type Number 4AC-199-E3A and a Sensenich Propeller, Type 72DF49. A Serial Number of 7845 was issued and Licensed as NC31596.

The aircraft was purchased also on April 21, 1941 by Amarillo Coca Cola Bottling Co., of Amarillo, Texas. The aircraft was purchased as a business and pleasure craft by Mr. Thomas R. Wingate, VP and GMgr. of Amarillo Coca Cola.

Amarillo Coca Cola maintained this aircraft until February 16, 1943, at which time it was sold to the United States Government, War Department. The aircraft was then designated an L9B with Military Serial Number 42-107406. On January 19, 1945 the aircraft was declared surplus sold to civilian use once again.

A record of ownership shows the following:

Amarillo Coca Cola Bottling Works	Amarillo, Tx	4/41- 2/43
War Department	U. S. A.	2/43 - 1/45
I. J. Enger	Minneapolis, MN	1/45 - 6/45
Thomas Metzger	Greenville, MI	6/45 - 10/46
William Rackett	Byron Center, MI	10/46 - 10/47
Eddie S. Harding	Grand Rapids, MI	10/47 - 8/50
Lester Newman	Grand Rapids, MI	8/50 - 6/51
Phil Mitchell	Horton, MI	6/51 - 8/51
John Tidwell	Detroit, MI	8/51 - 8/51
Dorwin Osman	Detroit, MI	8/51 - 2/52
Irving Gaffield	Northville, MI	2/52 - 7/52
Gustave Dombrowski	Dearborn, MI	7/52 - 7/54
R. James Hobkirk	Wayne, MI	7/54 - 11/54
Richard Mooradian	Dearborn, MI	11/54 - 3/56
Paul Johnson	Livonia, MI	3/56 - 3/57
William Amy	Wyandotte, MI	3/57 - 4/57
Edmund Aben	Flat Rock, MI	4/57 - 9/57
Delmar Williams	Ecorse, MI	9/57 - 1/58
Samuel Cooper	Ecorse, MI	1/58 - 6/62
Norvel Way	Inkster, MI	6/62 - 12/64
Walden Damschroder & T. Allwardt	Gibonsburg, OH	12/64 - 6/65
Burdett Metzger	Wapakoneta, OH	6/65 -10/65
J. L. McClung	Ravenswood, WV	10/65 - 1/66
William Harmon	Spencer, WV	1/66 - 12/72
R. G. Burggraff	Waverly, OH	12/72 - 1/74
Ronald O’Conner	Circleville, OH	1/74 - 6/83
Paul Workman	Zanesville, OH	6/83

6/83 P. Workman filed AC Form 8050-17 exporting the aircraft , having all ready been declared as scrap, to Canada.
F. A. A. Deregistered N-31596 from the United States Civil Aircraft Registry - 6/83
Airframe and wings now reside at Air Heritage, Inc. Beaver County, PA having been obtained from the CAF - Allegheny County, PA Chapter.

A preliminary inspection shows this airframe has lots of illegal welds on the tubular frame. A decision will be made to either correct all the welds or just make a static display of the aircraft. No work is to be performed until spring of 2007.

E-MAIL AIR HERITAGE:

Stinson L-9 Restoration Report