Stinson L-5 Sentinel

Stinson L-5 Sentinel
Country	USA
Role	Liaison / observation / light plane
Produced	1942–1945
Built	3896

The 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.

Source: Stinson L-5 Sentinel on Wikipedia

Stinson L-5 Sentinel Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Madera Air Show
Photos	51

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The Versatile Liaison

The Stinson L-5 Sentinel was the “Swiss Army Knife” of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. While lighter planes like the Piper L-4 “Grasshopper” were simpler, the L-5 was built to be faster, more powerful, and significantly more rugged. It could operate from tiny, unimproved clearings, fields, or even carrier decks. Whether it was spotting artillery, delivering critical messages, or evacuating the wounded, the L-5 was ubiquitous across every theater of the war.

Attribute	Technical Specification (L-5)
Role	Liaison / Observation / Medevac
Crew	2 (Pilot and Observer)
First Flight	1941
Powerplant	1 × Lycoming O-435-1 six-cylinder boxer engine
Horsepower	190 hp (142 kW)
Maximum Speed	130 mph (209 km/h)
Stall Speed	43 mph (69 km/h)
Service Ceiling	15,800 feet (4,816 m)

Built for the Front Lines

STOL Engineering: The L-5 was designed with a high-lift wing and large flaps, allowing it to take off in as little as 200 feet. This made it ideal for operating in the dense jungles of the Pacific or the rugged terrain of the China-Burma-India theater.
Mixed Material Construction: The fuselage was made of welded steel tubing for strength, while the wings were wooden structures—all covered in doped fabric. This allowed for easy repairs in the field using basic tools and materials.
The “Greenhouse” Rear: To allow the observer to see in almost every direction, the rear of the cockpit was extensively glazed, including panels that allowed for views directly below and behind the aircraft.
Medevac Modifications (L-5B/C): Later variants featured a modified rear fuselage with a large side-opening door, allowing a standard litter (stretcher) to be loaded directly behind the pilot.

Service and Legacy

Multi-Service Use: Used by the Army, Marines (as the OY-1), and the British RAF, the Sentinel was a truly international liaison platform.
Brodie System Trials: The L-5 was famously used to test the “Brodie System,” a wire-and-hook arrangement that allowed aircraft to take off and land from ships or mountain cliffs without a runway.
Post-War Utility: Thousands were sold as surplus after 1945, becoming popular “bush planes” for civilian pilots due to their ability to carry heavy loads into remote areas.
Survivors: Because so many were built (nearly 4,000), many L-5s are still flying today in the hands of private collectors and commemorative air force units.