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| L-5 Sentinel |
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| Type |
Liaison / Observation / Light plane |
| Manufacturer |
Stinson |
The USA light aircraft L-5 Sentinel began life as the pre-war Stinson model 105. The model 105 was nicknamed Voyager, built by the Stinson division of Consolidated Vultee. When the war broke out, the Voyager was redesigned and then entered into service as a liaison aircraft. It also flew in the artillery spotter role and as an air ambulance. The later model L-5s had their fuselages modified to accommodate one stretcher patient.
The L-5 was manufactured between October 1942 and September 1945, during which time a total of 3,590 of these unarmed, two-seat aircraft were built for the United States armed forces, making it the second most widely used light observation aircraft of the war. Personnel in all service branches commonly referred to it as the "Flying Jeep".
The L-5 was primarily constructed from steel tubing and plywood and was covered with doped cotton fabric.
[edit] Development
[edit] Operational history
Capable of operating from forward unimproved airstrips, the L-5 "Sentinel" delivered information and needed supplies to the front line troops. On the return trip, she would evacuate the badly wounded soldiers to rear area field hospitals for medical attention.
[edit] Variants
USMC OY-2 takes off from the USS
Sentinel, 1950.
Five versions were produced for the U.S. Army Air Force; the L-5, L-5B, L-5C, L-5E and L-5G. There was no L-5A variant as is often reported. The L-5 carried a pilot and observer in a tandem seating configuration. The L-5B through L-5G models were modified to carry a litter patient or light cargo, or a rear seat passenger sitting in the normal position. The Navy and Marine versions of the airplane were the OY-1 and OY-2. The latter differed from all others in that it had a 24 volt electrical system instead of the standard 12 volts. The British procured 40 L-5s, known as Sentinel Is, and 60 L-5Bs known as Sentinel IIs.
[edit] Aircraft markings
Standard camouflage as delivered from the factory was non-specular medium gray undersides with olive drab above, broken around the edges of the wing and tail surfaces with medium green. Stars, or "stars and bars" were applied to both sides of the fuselage and on the upper left and lower right wingtips. The USAAF number appeared on both sides of the fuselage in either yellow or black. Most aircraft were repainted silver during the post-WWII period. A variety of unit identification markings including nose art were applied in the field. Interior surfaces were generally finished in chromate green or a slightly darker "interior green".
[edit] Units using this aircraft
The United States Army Air Force (USAAF, US Marines, and US Navy used this aircraft in the European, Pacific, and Far East theaters during World War II, and in Korea during the Korean War. The British RAF operated 100 Sentinels in India and Burma.
After WWII, the Philippine Army Air Corps used this aircraft from 1945 to 1947. This aircraft remained in service after 1 July 1947 when the PAAC was renamed the Philippine Air Force. The Italian Air Force operated approximately 100 L-5's from 1946 into the 1950's. Many other countries also received L-5's after the war, particularly India.
[edit] Postwar use and current status
After World War II, the L-5 was widely used by the Civil Air Patrol for search and rescue work. Today there are about 300 known examples left world wide and less than half are in flying condition. A restored, flying example of the OY-1 variant (VH-NOY) is located in Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia. This example was built for the USAAF but was finally supplied to the US Navy, serving until 1949.[1] A group called the Sentinel Owners and Pilots Association[2] is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of this aircraft type.
[edit] Operators
Philippines
United Kingdom
United States
[edit] Specifications (L-5)
Data from March Field Air Museum web site [3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (pilot and observer)
- Length: 24 ft 1 in (7.34m)
- Wingspan: 34ft 0 in (10.36m)
- Height: 7 ft 11 in (2.41m)
- Wing area: 155 ft² (14.40m²)
- Empty weight: 1550 lb (702kg)
- Loaded weight: 2020 lb (916kg)
- Useful load: lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2050 lb (929kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Lycoming O-435-1, 185hp (kW)
Performance
Armament none
[edit] References
- ^ Flypast Magazine, July 2007, Key Publishing Ltd
- ^ Sentinelclub
- ^ Stinson L-5 Sentinel. March Field Air Museum. Retrieved on 8 December, 2006.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
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USAAC/USAAF observation aircraft |
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| Observation |
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| Observation Amphibian |
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USN observation aircraft designations, pre-1962 |
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| Observation |
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| Observation Scout |
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United States tri-service utility aircraft designations post-1962 |
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Aircraft produced by Vultee |
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| Manufacturer designations |
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Lists relating to aviation |
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