Stinson L-5 Sentinel – Photos & Video

2007 Stinson L-5 Sentinel was a World War II era liaison aircraft used by all branches of the U.S. military and by the British Royal Air Force. It was produced by the Stinson Aircraft Company. Along with the Stinson L-1 Vigilant, the L-5 was the only other American liaison aircraft of World War II that was purpose-built for military use and had no civilian counterpart. All other military liaison airplanes adopted during World War II were lightly modified “off-the-shelf” civilian models.

Šaltinis: Stinson L-5 Sentinel on Wikipedia

The Stinson L-5 Sentinel was a light observation aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces and other Allied forces during World War II. It was a military version of the Stinson 105 Voyager civilian airplane, modified to meet the requirements of the liaison role. The L-5 had a high-wing monoplane design with a metal fuselage and fabric-covered wings and tail. It was powered by a 190 hp Lycoming O-435 engine that gave it a maximum speed of 130 mph and a range of 375 miles. The L-5 could carry up to three passengers or a stretcher and a medical attendant in its spacious cabin. It also had provisions for carrying external cargo, such as radios, ammunition, or supplies.
The L-5 was used for various missions, such as artillery spotting, reconnaissance, courier service, medical evacuation, and rescue operations. It was praised for its reliability, versatility, and performance in harsh conditions. It could operate from short and unprepared airstrips, and could land and take off in as little as 50 feet. The L-5 was also equipped with skis or floats for operations in snow or water. The L-5 was one of the most widely used liaison aircraft of the war, with over 3,500 units produced. It served in all theaters of the war, from Europe to the Pacific, and was also used by the British Royal Air Force, the French Air Force, and the Chinese Nationalist Air Force. After the war, many L-5s were sold to civilian owners or transferred to other countries. Some L-5s are still flying today as historical aircraft.