All Aero

The first design from the Detroit-based Stinson Aircraft Syndicate was the Stinson SB-1 Detroiter, a four-seat cabin biplane with novel features such as cabin heating, individual wheel brakes and electric starter for the nose-mounted 220 hp (164 kW) Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine.

Designed by William Naylor, the SM-1 Detroiter prototype NX1524 first flew in April 1927.

Priced at $12,500, seven were sold as SM-1 Special (2-174) issued in 1930 for increased load as SM-1 Special NC3647 (ATC 2-174). SM-1 NC857 took first place in the 1927 Ford Air Tour, SM-1 was the first Braniff Airways plane, in 1928.

Thirty-six SM-1B (ATC 2-24) were built from 1928; NC3696, NC4185, NC4473, NC4876, NC5189, NC5485, NC5639, NC5676, NC5679, NC5683/5684, NC5741, NC5993, NC6657, NC6764, NC6827/6828, NC6868/6869, NC7023/7024, NC7127, NC7168, NC7218, NC7313/7314, NC7369, NC7422, NC7468/7470, NC7472/7474, NC7575/7576, plus some conversions from SM-1. ATC 2-224n 1930 was for the five-place SM-1B Special NC3348, NC5325, and NC6763, with allowable weight increase.

This aircraft was soon developed into the six-seat Stinson SM-1D Detroiter, a braced high-wing monoplane version which made its first flight on 25 January 1926. The aircraft was soon a success and it enabled Stinson to get $150,000 in public capital to incorporate the Stinson Aircraft Corporation on 4 May 1926.

The SM-1D Special (ATC 60) had a 220hp Wright J-5 conversion in 1929. NS6762 c/n D-302, was the SM-1DA. ATC 2-142 was for a 300hp Wright J-6 as SM-1D-300.

Five of the 1928 SM-1DA (ATC 74) were built, priced at $12,500, including NC5900 and NC6762.

The 1928 SM-1DB (ATC 76) was as the SM-1DA with interior refinements. One was built; NC6580.

The SM-1DC of 1928 (ATC 77) was a two-place cargo version of the SM-1DA

The 1928 SM-1DD (ATC 78) NC486H was an SM-1DA with greater load (2220 lb) for bush operations.

Designed by L M Woolson, the 1928 SM-1DX NX7654 (ATC 2-228) was powered by a 225hp Packard diesel (the first diesel to fly).

The 1929 SM-1F (ATC 136) sold for $11,000-13,500. SM-1FS was floatplane version under (ATC 212) for about $15,000. About 26 were built.

Seventy-five of the Wright J-5-powered versions were built, followed by 30 Wright J-6-powered aircraft. From 1928, SM-1 aircraft were used on scheduled services by Paul Braniff’s Braniff Air Lines and by Northwest Airways.

Three of this model were bought by Honduran Air Force in 1933. The China National Aviation Corporation, China Airways Federal, and Shanghai-Chengtu Airways operated the Detroiter in the 1920s–30s, and in Peru they were operated by Faucett and the Peruvian Air Force.

In 1930 a SM-1FS with a crew of three reached Bermuda from New York City, the first flight ever to the islands. Getting there the aircraft had to land twice, once because of darkness and later after running out of fuel. With a wing strut damaged, it was shipped back to New York.

A Detroiter version of the Stinson Junior powered with a Packard diesel engine, held the world record for endurance without refuelling.

In all over 100 were built, and in 1928 Stinson developed the smaller SM-2 Junior model to appeal to private owners.

Gallery

Variants:

SM-1 Detroiter
Engine: 220hp Wright J-5
Wingspan: 45’10”
Length: 32’0″
Useful load: 1515 lb
Max speed: 128 mph
Cruise: 105 mph
Stall: 55 mph
Range: 600-700 mi
Ceiling: 14,000′
Seats: 6

SM-1D
High-wing monoplane version with a 220hp (164kW) Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine.

SM-1DA
As SM-1D with detailed improvements.
Engine: 220hp Wright J-5
Useful load: 2068 lb
Max speed: 120 mph
Cruise: 105 mph
Stall: 60 mph
Range: 750 mi
Seats: 6

SM-1DB
As SM-1D with minor improvements
Useful load: 1978 lb

SM-1DC
As SM-1D with detailed improvements.
Useful load: 1986 lb
Seats: 2

SM-1DD
Freighter variant cargo-carrying interior, one built.
As SM-1DA
Useful load: 2220 lb
Seats: 2

SM-1DE
Freighter variant with two seats and cargo-carrying interior, one built.

SM-1DX
Engine: 225hp Packard DR-980 Diesel
Seats: 3
first diesel powered aircraft to fly.

SM-1F
Engine: 300hp (224kW) Wright J-6
Wingspan: 46 ft 8 in (14.22 m)
Length: 32 ft 0 in
Useful load: 1686 lb
Maximum speed: 132 mph (212 km/h)
Cruise: 115 mph
Stall: 56 mph
Range: 650 mi
Ceiling: 17,000′
Crew: 1 pilot
Capacity: 6 passengers

SM -1FS
Engine: 300hp (224kW) Wright J-6
Wingspan: 46 ft 8 in (14.22 m)
Length: 32 ft 0 in
Crew: 1 pilot
Capacity: 6 passengers

SM-1D300
SM-1Ds modified with a 300hp (224kW) Wright J-6 engine.

SM-1FS
Floatplane variant of the SM-1F.

SM-6A
Engine: 450hp (336kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp C1
Wingspan: 52’8″
Length: 34’4″
Useful load: 1854 lb
Max speed: 148 mph
Cruise: 128 mph
Stall: 60 mph
Range: 575 mi
Ceiling: 18,000′
six-seat
2 built
ATC 217, 2-89
1929 $18,500, $15,995 in 1930

SM-6B
Engine: 450hp (336kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp C1
eight-seat i
8 built
ATC 217, 2-89