Sentinel
s/n 44-17944
This two-place "Grasshopper" was notable for its ability to get in and out of places no other military aircraft could — the helicopter was not popularly used at the time. Opearating from dirt roads, pastures, or any place that had about 300' of relatively clear and flat surface to serve as its airport — even taking-off in as little as 50' with full flaps when it wanted to show off all this gave rise toits nickname of "Flying Jeep"!
The design first saw light as the pre-war civilian Stinson 10 Voyager, and it didn't take much alteration to put it in uniform — a large greenhouse-type cabin, tandem seating, some upgrading here and there. In its first flight as a Model 76 on 28 June 1941, it so impressed the Army Air Force with its lack of vices as to earn an immediate contract for 275 units, designated as O-62 in an initial Observation classification before changing into the L-for-Liaison class.
By the end of final production in 1945, 3,608 planes had been built and 900 more were on order, but were cancelled by the Armistice. Of this lot, 100 L-5Bs were delivered to the RAF to serve in Burma and India. 306 L-5Bs and -5Es went to the US Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps as OY-1 — which explains the markings on our aircraft. In all services, the L-5 was popular as an aerial ambulance, a messenger and personnel carrier, and an artillery spotter. It was the most widely used Allied utility aircraft of the war!
Military service continued into the Korean War, where it was armed by the Marines with bazooka rocket with rocket launchers on the wing struts, before it was officially retired; however, one was still used in 1962 by the Air Force Academy as a glider tug.
Manufactured by Stinson-Vultee Aircraft Corporation, Wayne MI.
More L5e photos
| Powerplant: | 185 hp Lycoming O-435-1 |
| Wingspan: | 34' 10" |
| Height: | 8- 11-1/2" |
| Wing Area: | 155 sq ft |
| Empty Weight: | 1,477 lbs |
| Gross weight : | 2,185 lbs |
| Maximum Speed: | 129 mph |
| Cruising Speed: | 115 mph |
| Landing Speed: | 44 mph |
| Ceiling: | 15,800 ft |
| Range: | 390 Statute Miles |
| Status: | On Display/Privately Owned* - Operational |
*Some of the aircraft listed "On Display/Privately Owned," are privately owned by individuals or corperations and are proudly displayed at the Estrella Warbird 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.
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