Ben Gleason
108-3 Stinson
| Over 48 years of flying has allowed me the opportunity to evaluate
many single-engine aircraft. Harry Griffing always told me, "Ben, you don't
know a bad aircraft because you like them all." Little did I understand
how true that statement was. But, no matter, one always has his favorites.
I fell in love with the Stinsons after acquiring a 108-2 Voyager. She was
a past EAA grand champion classic and a real beauty. I used the aircraft
to fly around the state of California for business for eight years. I was
going to fly her home, but movie actor, Steve McQueen's stunt man, made
me a offer I could not refuse. Because that aircraft was so much fun to
fly, JoAnn and I purchased N903C, a 108-3 Stinson Station wagon from Freda
Thayer. Freda inherited the aircraft from her deceased brother and had
it stored in a barn at their farm for 27 years. Many people had tried to
buy N903C, but simply could not wrestle her from Freda. When Freda called
me to see if I had interest, I was very surprised. When we disassembled
the aircraft at the farm and moved her to our hangar on the Hinde Airport
(88D), little did we know we were getting into another of those long jobs
that provides hours of happiness coupled with moments of frustration. This
was my third personal airplane project, although I have helped many builders
and restorers work on, or complete, their projects. This restoration seemed
much more intense due to having to work through a health problem, building
a new hanger and storage facility at Hinde and then a new workshop at my
home. The restoration got slowed a little. In addition, this job required
complete down-to-the-bones disassembly, one bolt, screw, rivet, cotter
key, fabric and engine at a time. Well, you get my drift. Everything had
to be rebuilt or replaced! So folks, here she is! She will be done when
she is done, but she is getting closer to flying again every day.
"Happy Flying"
Ben Gleason
|
"Miss Liberty" comes out of the home workshop! |
What would one do without EAA Chapter #50 friends?
"Miss Liberty" boards a trailer to travel to
her new hangar at Hinde (88D).
|
Stinson N903C is now at Hinde (88D) in our hanger,
our second home.
A look inside . . . the new "Birds Eye" maple
panel goes together! |
Here is a view inside rear seating area. It's
clear why she is called a Stinson Station Wagon.
There's a lot of work hours here. The bar across
the cabin is the front of the rear seat attachment.
|
The blue upholstery was sewn by Judy Patsch,
wife of EAA #50 member, Ken "Dusty" Patsch. It looks like a
million bucks even with no trim on the door yet.
This was all done with an aviation-approved, fire-retarding fabric. |
I put on new Cleveland Brakes. But every change
requires sometimes other modifications.
I had to lay up a fiberglass blister on the wheel
pants for this improvement.
|
I am rebuilding the Scott 3200 Tail wheel with
all new parts. This is just another
of the many different systems that must be replaced,
torn down and rebuilt! |
The great thing about moving "Miss Liberty" to
the hanger is that now when parts are finished,
they can go directly onto the aircraft. When
the tail wheel is finished, on goes her rudder!
This is a picture of some of the newly finished
small interior parts!
|
Here I am setting the seams on the "Poly Fiber"
covering tape. This is the last process before spraying
"Poly Spray" and then that beautiful blue color.
After the color, the wing will be attached to the fuselage. |
The rebuild process is always faster with help.
My wife JoAnn has always been willing to give a hand
when needed. Here she helps me turn a wing. The
help given by friends and EAA Chapter Members is,
and has been, very much appreciated. All I can
say is, "Thank You!"
Without all of you, this project would be much
more difficult.
|
After the other wing receives the color, this
one awaits the same treatment. |
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Rudder is installed along with rudder cables and rudder trim. Tail wheel has
been rebuilt and is now installed.
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