"The Aircraft Standard of the World," 1930 Stinson SM-8A, Part II: The History of Stinson SM-8A NC469Y

This is a case study of the history of Stinson SM-8A, NC469Y, serial number M 4277, first licensed in the experimental category October 3, 1930, as NR469Y. We will examine its known history since manufacture, it is recovery and restoration and some of its life after restoration. During the course of its life, NC469Y has had over 25 different owners while serving in a number of different configurations.

Starting with the SM-8A debut as an aerial broadcaster and following the chronological history to its current showpiece condition owned by the Alleman Family Trust, you will get a glimpse of the diverse uses to which Eddie Stinson’s SM-8As were applied.

Chronological Listing of the Owners of Stinson NC469Y
10-3-1930 Stinson factory delivery to Frank N. Phillips, Providence, R.I., as NR 469Y, for experimental radio broadcasting. Operated by the Aerial Advertising Company, the aircraft had two large loud speakers installed in the fuselage.
4-24-1931 Frank N. Philips sold the aircraft to J.R. Morris of Toledo, Ohio. NC469Y was changed to standard configuration by the Stinson factory. Later that year, 8-4-1931 the airplane damaged.
8-17-1931 J. R. Morris sold the aircraft to Ed Becker, who repaired and returned the aircraft to service with the Lockport Flying Service of Buffalo, New York.
2-19-1932 Lockport Flying Service sold the Stinson to Joseph Fluet and Arthur Beaudoin of Leominister, Massachusetts.

1-19-1937 Fluet and Beaudoin sold the plane to Joseph Fluet of Loeminster, Massachusetts.
2 -10-1937 Joseph Fluet sold the Stinson to W. Barnes and R. Thissel of Brookline, Massachusetts.
1-23-1941 W. Barnes and R. Thissel sold NC469Y to Parks Air College, East St. Louis, Illinois.
5-20-41 Parks Air College sold the aircraft to John Toth of Charleroi, Pennsylvania.
7-26-1941 John Toth sold the aircraft to Leo L. "Ace" Deemers of Quincy, Illinois.