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His and Hers Stinsons

His airplane, named Li’l Red, is a 1947 Stinson 108-1. Her airplane, named Ruby, is a burgundy 1947 Stinson 108-2. Meg Godlewski
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Lissa and Steve Smith's relationship blossomed from their shared passion for the iconic post-World War II Stinson 108 aircraft, a design known for its distinctive appearance and utility.
  • Their initial contact occurred when Steve, seeking to purchase a Stinson 108 for family trips, obtained Lissa's number to ask about her experience with the airplane, ultimately leading him to buy his own.
  • Now married, the couple maintains two Stinson 108s, "Ruby" and "Li'l Red," often flying them separately to destinations due to their mutual love of piloting, reflecting a respectful partnership deeply rooted in aviation.
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The Stinson 108 is one of the more iconic designs to come out of the post-World War II aviation boom. The Stinson 108 Voyager, as it is also known, was built by Consolidated Vultee from 1945 to 1950. The aircraft has a distinctive curved yoke and tear-drop shaped wheel pants, harkening back to a time when aircraft often looked more like pieces of sculpture than modes of transportation. Some might go so far as to call the Stinson 108 a romantic design.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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