NC3040 - Stinson Reliant - SR-7B

Photo from "The Stinsons", A pictorial History by John Underwood, page 59

Click these links for some closeups:
Original B/W Image
Colorized Image
Tail Section
Forward Fusalage Section
Rear Fusalage Section

This Stinson SR-7B was previously owned by Pepsi-Cola and was purchased by Cary Seldon in 1980. It is currently being restored. It was White with Blue Striping. Visit Cary's Homepage. The SR7 is a SR6 fuselage with the gull wing. It's wingspan is 41.6 feet, the fuselage is 27.17 feet, Empty Weight is 2310 Lbs., Gross Weight is 3600 Lbs., Cruises at 132 Mph, 50 of the SR7 series manufactured, this is the second oldest serial number, originally had a 245 Hp Lycoming R-680-6 but now has a R-680-13 rated at 300 Hp.

This project creates a functional 1/5th Scale Replica of Aviation History. NC-3040 is the subject, this photograph is the only documentation that I had to start with. What makes this a really fun project is researching Pepsi, the original owner, and each of the latter owners, to the present day.

As the research unravels this fabric of time, I will post as much data as I can on this site, so that you can share the experience with me.

Database Search Results

The Heritage of NC-3040

If you have pics of either full scale or model Stinson Reliants and would like to add them to this page, or if you flew these planes and would like to tell your story, please email them to me and I will be happy to post them.

Enjoy the pics and drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you!

Please visit Visitor Response Page

Stinson Aircraft, These are definitely worth reading!
Katherine Stinson
A Stinson in the Sticks

Cary Seldon, the current owner, is in daily contact with me regarding this project. He is also eager to learn the history of his prized possesion. All information is welcomed, and of coarse, all credits will be given for all submissions.

The following information was pieced together from the many emails that Cary and I have exchanged.

Sometime around 1959-1961, the plane went on it's back and it hasn't flown since then. Cary purchased the plane in 1980 after much debate as to whether or not he really wanted to undertake such a project. Eventualy the decision was made but space was at a premium and not much happened until he built a new 60x36 hanger in 1989. All of the wood has been replaced and the wings and control surfaces had been recovered. Unfortunately, these will now need to be stripped and recovered due to age. Cary tells me that the most difficult part will be remaking the metal farings. The game plan is to assemble the plane uncovered sometime this year, check all of the rigging, and evaluate what needs to be done to get her airworthy again.

While researching Stinson Reliants, I have stumbled across these images.
Click on the thumbnail picture you like below to show the larger version.

N63654	NC14572	NC17144	NC17144	HGD1733
P-Stinson	NC16113	G-AEFY	JK549

The following series of photos appeared in AOPA Pilot, April 2000 and are "© 2000 Mike Fizer".
All inquires should be sent to:
Mike Fizer of AOPA Pilot
3200 Cromwell
Wichita, KS 67204
316.832.1022

Mike Fizer - AOPA
Mike Fizer
Fizer Photography

Links that I used in some of my research:
Southwest& National Stinson Clubs
Family Westin Homepage ... an excellent Stinson Site
Landings ... an excellent Aviation Site

The Model that I am building is IKON N'WST'S Stinson SR-8, 1/5 Scale.
Wing span 100 inches
Fusalage length 66 inches
Wing area 1350 sq. inches
Cowl diameter 9 inches
Flying weight 14-17 lbs. (We'll see about that!)
Powered by Quadra 52.
Prop Size 20/6 (subject to change)

Fuselage was covered with SolarTex Natural, Doped with a 50/50 mixture of Non-Tautening Butyrate Dope and Thinner (Certified Coatings), then primed with #1304 Gray Primer (Workline) and is shown here ready for white paint as the base color.
12/19/98, 1st coat of White Base Paint goes on. Click on Painting to see in-progress photos.