For quite some time, vintage aircraft enthusiasts have been holding their breath in anticipation as the restoration of Garry and Janne Ackerman’s Stinson SR-7B has been taking shape at RARE Aircraft. They acquired the Stinson as a project in October 2011, but it soon became evident that the task was beyond their capacity. The Stinson, a large aircraft for a four-seater, weighs a hefty 2,617 pounds when empty, which is approximately the gross weight of many fully loaded four-seat general aviation aircraft. Every aspect of it is substantial, including the documentation that the Ackermans had to navigate through, such as 18 reels of 35mm microfilm, each reel stretching an impressive 100 feet long.
Stinson NC3040 was the inaugural production Stinson Gullwing, a title that would bestow considerable renown on most any aircraft. Their specific Stinson had led a rather prominent life, having been owned by Pepsi Cola in the late 1930s and adorned with the company logo for publicity purposes. During the 1950s and 1960s, the airplane fell into disrepair and was left parked.
The Ackermans entrusted the work to RARE Aircraft in Faribault, MN, and they delivered. RARE Aircraft is renowned as a restoration shop for Stearman and WACO aircraft, and its wood and fabric craftsmanship is highly regarded within the community. On July 12, the freshly restored Stinson took to the skies for the first time in nearly 70 years, following four years of dedicated efforts by RARE Aircraft and the earlier work of the Ackermans. The restoration is meticulously researched and incorporates tasteful modernizations, such as avionics and safety enhancements, to make the Stinson more manageable in today’s aviation environment.
Although the Ackermans have not flown their aircraft yet, the test/ferry pilot reported that it cruises at approximately 140 MPH and lands at 48 MPH. They intend to keep the plane for about a decade as its guardians before passing it on to the next caretakers.
