N47503
S/N 058B-8212
US Army s/n 43-8121
The L-3, originally designated O-58, was the military version of the Aeronca Model 65 Defender. This high-wing, light airplane could operate from small, hastily-built flying fields. The Army ordered the first O-58s in 1941 to test the use of light aircraft for liaison and observation missions in direct support of ground forces. Between 1941 and 1943, Aeronca Aircraft Corp. of Middletown, Ohio, built more than 1,400 of these aircraft for the Army -- 875 of them were L-3Bs.
Operating from farms, roads or hastily built airfields, the "Grasshoppers" were used for liaison (the "L" in L-Birds) and observation missions in direct support of Allied ground forces. There were several different manufacturers represented in the ranks of the L-Birds, namely Taylorcraft (L-2), Aeronca (L-3), Piper (L-4), Stinson (L-5) and Interstate (L-6). The L-3 has tandem seating for two, and the rear seat was arranged to allow the observer to sit facing either forward or backwards, depending on the mission. The L-3s were usually equipped with two-way radios and could perform many duties including artillery direction, courier service, front line liaison and pilot training.
During World War II, Aeronca L-3s served in artillery fire direction, courier service, front-line liaison and pilot training. In 1942 Aeronca developed the TG-5, a training glider based on the O-58. The three-seat glider had a front fuselage replacing the engine, but retained the rear fuselage, wings and tail of the powered version. Aeronca built 250 TG-5s for the Army.
The Army's liaison plane's famous name is said to have come about in the summer of 1942, when Piper pilot Henry Wann was directed to fly a message from Fort Bliss, Texas to the cavalry Major General, Innis Swift, at his field headquarters. The general saw Wann's rough landing in a field and commented, "You looked like a damned grasshopper when you landed in those boondocks and bounced around!" Later, when Swift wanted Wann and his little plane to return, he sent a message to Fort Bliss: "Send Grasshopper." Bliss's personnel were baffled until Wann told them the story. Soon, all of the Army's liaison aircraft were called "Grasshoppers."
The Aeronca O-58 and L-3 Grasshoppers saw service in the European, African and Korean theaters of the war.
This particular L-3 was delivered to the US Army Air Corps in August, 1943 and used as a pilot trainer until 1944 and retired from service as a trainer in Nebraska.
Manufactured by Aeronca Aircraft Corp, Middletown OH.
| Powerplant: | 65hp Continental O-70-3 |
| Wingspan: | 35' 0 " |
| Length: | 21' 0 " |
| Height: | 7' 8 " |
| Wing area: | 158 sq ft |
| Empty weight: | 806 lbs |
| Gross weight: | 1,260 lbs |
| Maximum speed: | 87 mph |
| Cruising speed: | 79 mph |
| Landing speed: | 43 mph |
| Ceiling: | 7,750' |
| Range: | 350 statute miles |
| Status: | On Display/ Privately Owned*/Operational |
*Some of the aircraft listed "On Display/Privately Owned," are privately owned by individuals or corporations and are proudly displayed at the Estrella Warbirds Museum. The Estrella WarBirds Museum does not own, restore, operate nor maintain flyable aircraft.
We are grateful that the owners display their aircraft at the museum for the public to view.
Any courtesy rides given by aircraft owners is an agreement solely between the person that owns the aircraft and passenger.
