Stinson Reliant

{{Short description|High-wing monoplane produced 1933-43}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use American English|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox aircraft |name=Reliant |image=File:Stinson Reliant AT-19 in-flight Concord California 1947.jpg |caption= |type=Liaison and training monoplane |national_origin=United States |manufacturer=Stinson Aircraft Company |designer= |first_flight=1933 |introduction= |retired= |status= |primary_user=United States Army Air Corps |more_users=Royal Navy |produced= |number_built=1,327 |variants= }}

The '''Stinson Reliant''' is a popular single-engine four- to five-seat high-wing monoplane manufactured by the Stinson Aircraft Division of the Aviation Manufacturing Corporation of Wayne, Michigan.

==Design and development== The Reliant is a high-wing, fixed-tailwheel land monoplane powered with a variety of radial engines.<ref>[https://www.avialogs.com/index.php/item/56053-t-o-01-50ka-1-pilot-s-flight-operating-instructions-for-at-19-airplanes-british-model-reliant.html Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions for Army Model AT-19 Airplanes and British Model Reliant – 15 June 1944]</ref>

1,327 Reliants of all types were made from 1933 to 1941, in different models, from SR-1 to SR-10. The final commercial model, the Stinson Reliant SR-10, was introduced in 1938. A militarized version was first flown in February 1942 and remained in production through several additional versions (all externally identical) until late 1943 for the US and British armed forces.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} Reliant production can be broken into two distinct types – the straight-wing Reliants (all models up to SR-6) and the gull-wing Reliants (all models from SR-7 and after, including the militarized V-77/AT-19), with there being little in common between the two groups of types. The straight-wing Reliant has a wing of constant chord and thickness which is supported by two struts each side with additional bracing struts. In contrast the taper-wing Reliant has the broadest chord and thickness of the wing at mid-span, with the outer wing trailing edge heavily angled forward and a rounded cutout on the leading edge root, all supported by a single strut. The taper wing has a significant step up between the fuselage and the wing, and the changes in wing thickness gave it a distinct gull appearance from the front.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}

==Operational history== thumb|right|A Stinson (Vultee) V-77 The Reliant was used by the United States Army Air Forces in World War II as a utility aircraft, designated '''UC-81''', and as trainer designated '''AT-19'''. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force also used Reliants, for light transport and communication duties. After the war they were sold on the civilian market as the '''Vultee V-77'''.

The V-77 is a spartan version of the SR-10 with the 300 hp Lycoming R680-E3B, a single door on the left side and the traditional "bump" cowl was replaced with a simpler smooth cowl. Internal structure was beefed up significantly over the commercial models, and a distinctive triangle-shaped counterbalance was added to the rudder.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}

==Variants== [[File:Stinson SR-6 NC15112 Creve Coeur MO 10.06.06R.jpg|thumb|right|SR-6 Reliant at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum, Dauster Field, Missouri in 2006]] All versions of the Reliant were powered with radial piston engines, and could be operated on wheels, floats and skis, and in the following configurations:<ref>[http://rareaviation.com/store/cart.php?target=product&product_id=14991&category_id=3658 Stinson SR-10 Specifications – April 1940]</ref> * Cargo * Ambulance (two stretchers) * Firefighting * Photographic mapping

===Civilian variants=== *SR Reliant: Powered by a {{cvt|215|hp}} Lycoming R-680.<ref name="Wegg p131,3">Wegg 1990, pp. 131, 133.</ref> *SR-1: Powered by a {{cvt|240|hp}} Lycoming R-680-2. Two built.<ref name="Wegg p132">Wegg 1990, p. 132.</ref> *SR-2: Powered by a {{cvt|240|hp}} Lycoming R-680-7. *SR-3: Similar to the SR-1, but with retractable undercarriage. *SR-4: Powered by a {{cvt|250|hp}} Wright R-760-E. *SR-5: Powered by a {{cvt|225|hp}} Lycoming R-680-4. *SR-5A: Powered by a {{cvt|245|hp}} Lycoming R-680-6. *SR-5B: Powered by a {{cvt|240|hp}} Lycoming R-680-2. *SR-5C: Powered by a {{cvt|260|hp}} Lycoming R-680-5. *SR-5E: Powered by a {{cvt|225|hp}} Lycoming R-680-4. *SR-5F: Powered by a {{cvt|250|hp}} Wright R-760-E. *SR-6: Four-seat cabin aircraft, powered by a Lycoming R-680-6. *SR-6A: Four-seat cabin aircraft, powered by a {{cvt|225|hp}} Lycoming R-680-4. *SR-6B: Four-seat cabin aircraft, powered by a {{cvt|260|hp}} Lycoming R-680-5.

*SR-7: First gull wing series. *SR-7B: Four-seat cabin aircraft, powered by a Lycoming R-680-B6. 47 built.<ref name="Wegg p135">Wegg 1990, p. 135.</ref> *SR-7C: Four-seat cabin aircraft, powered by a Lycoming R-680-B5. Three built.<ref name="Wegg p135"/> *SR-8A: Five-seat cabin aircraft. *SR-8B: Five-seat cabin aircraft, powered by a Lycoming R-680-B6. *SR-8C: Five-seat cabin aircraft, powered by a Lycoming R-680-B5. *SR-8D: Five-seat cabin aircraft, powered by a Wright R-760-E2. *SR-8DM: Utility transport version of the SR-8D. *SR-8E: Five-seat cabin aircraft, powered by a {{cvt|320|hp}} Wright R-760-E23. *SR-8DE: Utility transport version of the SR-8E. *SR-9: 1937 series. Fitted with a curved windshield, unique to this series.<ref name="Wegg p136"/> *SR-9A: Proposed version with Lycoming R-680-B4 engine. Unbuilt.<ref name="Wegg p136"/> *SR-9B: Powered by a {{cvt|245|hp}} Lycoming R-680-B6 engine. 35 built.<ref name="Wegg p136"/><ref name="avwk237 p36">''Aviation'' February 1937, p. 36.</ref> *SR-9C: Powered by a {{cvt|260|hp}} Lycoming R-680-B5 engine. 65 built.<ref name="Wegg p136"/><ref name="avwk237 p36"/> *SR-9D: Powered by a {{cvt|285|hp}} Wright R-760-E1 engine. 22 built.<ref name="Wegg p136"/><ref name="avwk237 p36"/> *SR-9E: Powered by a {{cvt|320|hp}} Wright R-760-E2 engine. 43 built.<ref name="Wegg p136"/><ref name="avwk237 p36"/> *SR-9F: Powered by a {{cvt|450|hp}} Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior. 34 built.<ref name="Wegg p136"/> *SR-10 thumb|Jimmy Doolittle's Shell Stinson Reliant SR-10, restored *SR-10B: Powered by a Lycoming R-680-D6. One built.<ref name="Wegg p136">Wegg 1990, p. 136.</ref> *SR-10C: Powered by a Lycoming R-680-D5 engine. 46 built.<ref name="Wegg p136"/> *SR-10D: Wright R-760E-1 engine. 3 built.<ref name="Wegg p136-7">Wegg 1990, pp. 136–137.</ref> *SR-10E: Powered by a Wright R-760E-2. 21 built.<ref name="Wegg p136-7"/> *SR-10F: Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior SB. 18 built.<ref name="Wegg p137"/> *SR-10G: Powered by a Lycoming R-680-E1. 12 built.<ref name="Wegg p136"/> *SR-10J: Lycoming R-680-E3 engine. 11 built.<ref name="Wegg p136"/> *SR-10K: Powered by a {{cvt|450|hp}} Wright R-975E-3. 2 built for New York City Police Department; one with conventional landing gear, one seaplane with Edo floats.<ref name="Wegg p136"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=FAA Aircraft Type Certificate 679|url=https://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/a5395a43a85557cf8525673e0056534d/$FILE/TC679.pdf|access-date={{today}}|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration}}</ref>

===Military variants=== ;AT-19 :USAAF designation for a training variant of the UC-81 for the Royal Navy under Lend-Lease as the Reliant I, 500 built.<ref name="andrade79" /> ;AT-19A :Original designation of the L-9A which was a Voyager not a Reliant.<ref name="andrade79" /> [[File:AT-19B Flying.jpg|thumb|AT-19B of the Texas Air Museum in Slaton, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AT-19B – Texas Air Museum |url=https://thetexasairmuseum.org/at-19b/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |language=en-US}}</ref>]] ;AT-19B :Original designation of the L-9B which was a Voyager not a Reliant.<ref name="andrade79" /> ;AT-19C :Conversions of AT-19s for photo-survey aircraft for the USAAF, 51 conversions.<ref name="andrade79" /> ;UC-81: :Four impressed SR.8Bs.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81A :Two impressed SR.10Gs.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81B :One impressed SR.8E.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81C :Three impressed SR.9Cs.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;XC-81D :One civil SR.10F operated by the military for the development of glider pick-up techniques.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81E :Four impressed SR.9Fs.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81F :Seven impressed SR.10Fs.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81G :Three impressed SR.9Ds.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81H :One impressed SR.10E.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81J :Nine impressed SR.9Es.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81K :Five impressed SR.10Cs.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81L :Two impressed SR.8Cs.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81M :One impressed SR.9EM.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;UC-81N :Two impressed SR.9Bs.<ref name="andrade81" /> ;L-12 :Two SR.5As impressed into service with the USAAF during World War II.<ref name="andrade130" /> ;L-12A :Two SR.7Bs impressed into service during World War II.<ref name="andrade130" /> ;RQ-1 :One SR-5 Reliant was acquired by the US Coast Guard in 1935, later redesignated XR3Q-1 and decommissioned in 1941.<ref name="pearcy p317">Pearcy 1991, p. 317.</ref> ;XR3Q-1 :One SR-5 Reliant was acquired by the US Navy in 1935.<ref name="swannavy p469">Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 469.</ref> ;Reliant I :500 Reliants were supplied to the Royal Navy under Lend-Lease. The Reliants were used for light transport and communications, navigation and radio training duties.

==Operators== thumb|right|Stinson V77 Reliant thumb|right|Stinson V77 Reliant

===Military operators=== ;{{ARG}} *Argentine Navy<ref name="Wegg p137"/> ;{{AUS}} *Royal Australian Air Force – 1<ref>{{cite web|title=A38 Stinson Reliant|url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A38.htm|publisher=RAAF Museum|access-date=20 January 2013|year=2009}}</ref> ;{{UK}}: * Royal Air Force ** No. 510 Squadron RAF<ref name="Halley p306">Halley 1980, p. 306.</ref> * Fleet Air Arm ** 730 Naval Air Squadron ** 748 Naval Air Squadron ;{{USA}}: * United States Army Air Forces – A total of 47 Reliants impressed during World War 2<ref name="swan mil p532">Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 532.</ref> * United States Coast Guard<ref name="pearcy p317"/> * United States Navy<ref name="Wegg p137"/> ;{{flag|Uruguay}} * Uruguayan Air Force<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memorias del Tiempo de Vuelo / Stinson SR-7A Reliant |url=http://www.pilotoviejo.com/stinsonreliant.htm |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=www.pilotoviejo.com}}</ref>

===Civil operators=== ;{{BRA}} *Aerolloyd Iguassu *Aerovias Minas Gerais *NAB – Navegação Aérea Brasileira ;{{ESA}}: *Grupo TACA ;{{MEX}}: *Aeronaves de México – the Reliant was the first aircraft used by Aeronaves, later to become Mexico's largest airline, Aeromexico, on their initial service between Mexico and Acapulco on 14 September 1934<ref>[http://www.aeromexico.com/us/ExperienceAeromexico/AboutAeromexico/history.html Aeromexico – The Story of a Great Company], last accessed on 2012 November 30</ref> ;{{NOR}} *Widerøe ;{{PAR}}: * Líneas Aéreas de Transporte Nacional (LATN) ;{{USA}}: * New York City Police Department Aviation Unit *Northwest Airways

==Specifications (SR-10F)== frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Stinson AT-19 Reliant

{{Aircraft specs |prime units?=kts

|ref=General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors<ref name="Wegg p137">Wegg 1990, p. 137.</ref>

|crew= one, pilot |capacity= 3 to 4 passengers |length ft= 27 |length in= 11 |length m= 8.51 |span ft= 41 |span in= 7 |span m= 12.68 |height ft= 8 |height in= 6 |height m= 2.59 |wing area sqft= 256.5 |wing area sqm= 23.84 |empty weight lb= 3,045 |empty weight kg= 1,384 |gross weight lb= 4,605 |gross weight kg= 2,093 |eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior SB |eng1 type=nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engine |eng1 number=1 |eng1 hp= 400 |eng1 kw= 298 |cruise speed kts= 154 |cruise speed mph= 177 |cruise speed kmh= 285 |range nmi= 739 |range miles= 850 |range km= 1,369 |ceiling ft= 21,000 |ceiling m= 6,400 |climb rate ftmin= 1,330 |climb rate ms= 6.8 }}

==References== <references> <ref name="andrade79">Andrade 1979, p.79</ref> <ref name="andrade81">Andrade 1979, p.81</ref> <ref name="andrade130">Andrade 1979, p.130</ref> </references>

==Bibliography== * {{cite book |last= Andrade |first= John |title= U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909|year=1979 |publisher=Midland Counties Publications|isbn= 0-904597-22-9}} *{{cite magazine|last=Elliot|first=Bryn|title=Bears in the Air: The US Air Police Perspective |magazine=Air Enthusiast|date=March–April 1997|issue=68|pages=46–51 |issn=0143-5450}} * {{cite book|last=Halley|first=James J|title=The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force|year=1980|publisher=Air Britain (Historians)|location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK|isbn=0-85130-083-9}} *{{cite book|last=Pearcy|first=Arthur|title=U.S. Coast Guard Aircraft Since 1916|year=1991|publisher=Airlife Publishing|location=Shrewsbury, UK|isbn=1-85310-118-4}} *{{cite journal |last1=Sapienza|first1=Antonio Luis|title=Les premiers avions de transport commercial au Paraguay|journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=June 2000|issue=87 |pages=45–47 |trans-title=The First Commercial Transport Aircraft in Paraguay|language=fr |issn=1243-8650}} *{{cite magazine|title=Stinson Restyles |magazine=Aviation Week & Space Technology|date=February 1937|volume=36|issue=2|pages=35–36 |url=http://archive.aviationweek.com/issue/19370201#!&pid=34 |url-access=registration }} *{{cite book|last1=Swanborough|first1=F. G.|last2=Bowers|first2=Peter M.|title=United States Military Aircraft since 1909|year=1963|publisher=Putnam|location=London}} *{{cite book|last1=Swanborough|first1=Gordon|last2=Bowers|first2=Peter M.|author-link2=Peter M. Bowers|title=United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 |edition=Second |year=1976 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=0-370-10054-9}} * {{cite book|last=Wegg|first=John|title=General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors|year=1990|publisher=Putnam|location=London|isbn=0-85177-833-X}}

==External links== {{commons category|Stinson Reliant}} *[https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/stinson-sr-10f-reliant Stinson SR-10F Reliant National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225841/https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/stinson-sr-10f-reliant |date=March 29, 2019 }} *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060910043151/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Aircraft/Reliant.htm Stinson UC-81 Reliant (Stinson AT-19/SR-10) Fleet Air Arm Archive]}} *[https://www.albertaaviationmuseum.com/otw_pm_portfolio/stinson-sr-9/ Stinson SR-9 Alberta Aviation Museum] *[https://www.avialogs.com/index.php/item/56053-t-o-01-50ka-1-pilot-s-flight-operating-instructions-for-at-19-airplanes-british-model-reliant.html (1944) T.O. No. 01-50KA-1 Pilot's Flight Operating Instructions for Army Model AT-19 Airplanes, British Model Reliant]

{{Stinson aircraft}} {{Vultee aircraft}} {{AircraftDesignationNavboxShell| {{USAF liaison aircraft}} {{USAF trainer aircraft}} {{USAF transports}} {{USN transports}} {{USN transport single-engined}} {{ADF aircraft designations}} }}

Category:1930s United States civil utility aircraft Category:1930s United States military utility aircraft Category:High-wing aircraft Reliant Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1933 Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear Category:Single-engined piston aircraft