Cliff Riedel’s Stinson Tri-Motor Reunion

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For about three years in the late 1960s friends Cliff Riedel and Chet Lanzo worked on building a Stinson Tri-Motor RC model. The completed model was shown at Toledo for several years before being donated to the National Model Aviation Museum in 1986.

Last Friday, Cliff Riedel reunited with the model. Like any good reunion, memories were shared and lots of photographs were taken. It was great learning about Chet’s phone calls, the curtains that originally appeared in the cabin’s windows, and how the model used to hang from the vaulted ceiling in the Reidel house – and how nothing took its place once the model was donated in the museum.

The museum is looking forward to Cliff’s promised History Project biography and written memories regarding the model. Once we have more details, we’ll be sure to share!

The orage and cream Stinson Tri-motor featuring the number NC-11150 on the wing is just a bit dusty.
Cliff Riedel and Chet Lanzo’s Stinson Tri-Motor is a little dusty after several years in storage, but otherwise in excellent shape.
A close-up from behind of the windows of the Tri-Motor's cabin.
A close up of the cabin windows on the Stinson Tri-Motor. Originally there were curtains in the windows.
Museum Collections Manager Maria VanVreede and Cliff Riedel discuss the Stinson Tri-Motor that Cliff donated to the museum in 1986.
Museum Collections Manager Maria VanVreede and Cliff Riedel discuss the Stinson Tri-Motor that Cliff donated to the museum in 1986.
Cliff Riedel poses in the museum gallery with the Stinson Tri-Motor he built with Chet Lanzo in the late 1960s
Cliff Riedel poses in the museum gallery with the Stinson Tri-Motor he built with Chet Lanzo in the late 1960s
The museum gallery, including the White Mystery and Chet Lanzo's 1937 RC model are seen in the background of Cliff Riedel and his son Cliff as the pose with the Stinson Tri-Motor.
Standing next to his son Cliff, Cliff Riedel holds the Stinson Tri-Motor he built with Chet Lanzo. They are posed beneath a replica of Chet’s 1937 RC model.

Thank you to Cliff Riedel for donating the model and sharing his memories.  His son Cliff is also owed thanks for arranging the visit & sharing his memories.  A special thanks go to Cliff’s son-in-law Sam Cheraso for taking and sharing the photographs.

Visit the museum’s website for more information on the National Model Aviation Museum.

Photo credit, all photos: National Model Aviation Museum Permanent Collection, Accession file of the Stinson Tri-Motor, donated by Cliff Riedel and Chet Lanzo, 1986.34.  Photos shared courtesy of Sam Cheraso.

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  1. dose any one know where i can find a set of build planes for a plane called miss avalon i seen the plane on ebay it huge green and white has two cylender moki engine amaterafact mrmoki was selling it it was a plane used i a madera air show as a pacer i realy whant this plane ca help! thankyou michael weir mendocino ca 707-984-6029

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