ED COATES COLLECTION
No. 1621. Stinson V-77 Reliant Mk.I (N60634 c/n 77-333)
Photographed at Santa Paula, California, USA, 1998, by Ed Coates

Stinson V-77 Reliant Mk.I

03/31/2010. Remarks by Ed Coates: "Just as the L-5 received a civil TC allocation, so did the Stinson AT-19 Reliant (TC 774) although in this case the civilianized machine also received a new model number, to wit V-77. This aircraft was a development of the Stinson SR-10J and was originally ordered by the USAAF as a navigational trainer, s/n 43-44081. Most of the 500 built went to the UK as Lend-Lease assets.

Designated Reliant Mk.I, this one served with the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy with the s/n FB640. At war's end no fewer than 350 were shipped back to the USA, testament indeed to their ruggedness. Most of the craft seen today are dolled up as 'warbirds', although this attractive example seen at Santa Paula Municipal Airport in 2000 is an exception."

Created June 28, 2002