In 1941, the United States Army Air Corps ordered four examples of the Aeronca 65 TC Defender, designated YO-58, for evaluation of the suitability of light aircraft for observation and liaison purposes. (It also placed similar orders with Piper and Taylorcraft Aircraft). Service tests during the US Army's annual maneuvers proved successful, and resulted in large orders being placed. In 1942, the O-58 was redesignated L-3.[1][2]
When American forces went into combat after Pearl Harbor, the Army Air Force used the L-3 in much the same manner as observation balloons were used during World War I—spotting activities and directing artillery fire. It was also used for liaison and transport duties and short-range reconnaissance which required airplanes to land and take off in short distances from unprepared landing strips. Liaison pilots would train on L-3s before moving on to front-line aircraft like the Piper L-4 or the Stinson L-5. Some L-3s were shipped to North Africa, and subsequently given to the Free French Forces in the area at the time. At least one of the aircraft served with US forces in Italy.[citation needed]And minimally one other did service in Normandy, as reported by the Detroit Free Press on 25 June 1944, with a photograph indicating transport of medical supplies to the advancing front-line regiments.
The TG-5 was a three-seat training glider of 1942 based upon the O-58 design. This aircraft retained the O-58's rear fuselage, wings, and tail while adding a new front fuselage in place of the engine. In all, Aeronca built 250 TG-5 gliders for the Army. The Navy received three as the LNR-1.[3]
1942 Aeronca Grasshopper L-3B observation and liaison aircraft, formerly of the United States Army Air Forces, now privately owned as G-BRHP in England
Variantsedit
Piper TG-8 glider trainer in flight, similar in appearance to the Aeronca TG-5.
O-58 designation replaced by L-3 designation in April 1942[4]
30 L-3B delivered to Chile via Lend-Lease program in 1943, all delivered to civil aero clubs. 4 Survivors (CC-KGA at La Ligua, CC-SHA at Chile's Aviation Museum. Two examples in the hands of restorers at Tobalaba airfield, Santiago, and Los Angeles.)
Aside from 15 L-3s (2 L-3, 7 L-3B, and 6 L-3C) that remain on the US civil registry as of June 2016,[9] a number have also found their way into museums
42-7796 - O-58A airworthy with Mark A. Henry of Dickinson, Texas[10]
^"FAA REGISTRY [N46893]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation.
^"FAA REGISTRY [N46082]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
^"FAA REGISTRY [N49705]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
^Bridgeman, Leonard. "The Aeronca Grasshopper." Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946. p. 203–204. ISBN1 85170 493 0.
Referencesedit
Adcock, Al (2005). US Liaison Air in Action – Aircraft Number 195. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron Signal Publications. pp. 21–24. ISBN0-89747-487-2.
Andrade, John M. (1979). U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN0-904597-22-9.
Abel, Alan (2001). Aeronca's Golden Age. Wind Canyon Books. ISBN1-891118-42-0.
Guillemette, Roger. . US Centennial of Flight Commission. Archived from the original on 4 January 2006. Retrieved 2006-01-04.
Hagedorn, Daniel P. (1993). Central American and Caribbean Air Forces. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN0-85130-210-6.
Mondey, David (1996). The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II. London: Chancellor Press. ISBN185152-706-0.
Swanborough, F.G.; Peter M. Bowers (1963). United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam.
"Venezuela Refurbishes Her Aerial Sombrero". Air International. 5 (3): 118–124, 150. September 1973.
. AeroWeb: The Aviation Enthusiast Corner. City University of New York. Archived from the original on 2006-01-18. Retrieved 2006-01-04.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper.
L-3 page at Warbird Alley
April 11, 2024
aeronca, group, observation, liaison, aircraft, were, used, united, states, army, corps, world, series, were, adapted, from, aeronca, tandem, trainer, chief, models, grasshopperb, belonging, national, museum, united, states, force, role, observation, liaison, . The Aeronca L 3 group of observation and liaison aircraft were used by the United States Army Air Corps in World War II The L 3 series were adapted from Aeronca s pre war Tandem Trainer and Chief models L 3 GrasshopperAeronca L 3B belonging to the National Museum of the United States Air Force Role Observation and liaison aircraftManufacturer Aeronca AircraftFirst flight 1941Primary user United States Army Air ForcesDeveloped from Aeronca 50 Chief Contents 1 Design and development 2 Variants 3 Operators 4 Surviving aircraft 5 Specifications L 3C 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 External linksDesign and development editIn 1941 the United States Army Air Corps ordered four examples of the Aeronca 65 TC Defender designated YO 58 for evaluation of the suitability of light aircraft for observation and liaison purposes It also placed similar orders with Piper and Taylorcraft Aircraft Service tests during the US Army s annual maneuvers proved successful and resulted in large orders being placed In 1942 the O 58 was redesignated L 3 1 2 When American forces went into combat after Pearl Harbor the Army Air Force used the L 3 in much the same manner as observation balloons were used during World War I spotting activities and directing artillery fire It was also used for liaison and transport duties and short range reconnaissance which required airplanes to land and take off in short distances from unprepared landing strips Liaison pilots would train on L 3s before moving on to front line aircraft like the Piper L 4 or the Stinson L 5 Some L 3s were shipped to North Africa and subsequently given to the Free French Forces in the area at the time At least one of the aircraft served with US forces in Italy citation needed And minimally one other did service in Normandy as reported by the Detroit Free Press on 25 June 1944 with a photograph indicating transport of medical supplies to the advancing front line regiments The TG 5 was a three seat training glider of 1942 based upon the O 58 design This aircraft retained the O 58 s rear fuselage wings and tail while adding a new front fuselage in place of the engine In all Aeronca built 250 TG 5 gliders for the Army The Navy received three as the LNR 1 3 nbsp 1942 Aeronca Grasshopper L 3B observation and liaison aircraft formerly of the United States Army Air Forces now privately owned as G BRHP in EnglandVariants edit nbsp Piper TG 8 glider trainer in flight similar in appearance to the Aeronca TG 5 O 58 designation replaced by L 3 designation in April 1942 4 YO 58 Four aircraft with a 65 hp 48 kW Continental YO 170 3 engine 4 O 58 L 3 production order of 50 most used for training in the US 4 O 58A L 3A Fuselage widened four inches and extended greenhouse canopy 20 built 4 O 58B L 3B Modified canopy and additional radio equipment 875 built 4 O 58C L 3C As O 58B L 3B but with radio equipment removed for use as trainer 490 built 4 L 3D Aeronca 65TF Defender 11 aircraft impressed 4 L 3E Aeronca 65TC Defender 12 aircraft impressed 4 Continental engine L 3F Aeronca 65CA Defender 19 aircraft impressed 4 L 3G Aeronca 65L Super Chief with side by side seating 4 aircraft impressed 4 Lycoming engine L 3H Aeronca 65TL Defender 1 aircraft impressed 4 Lycoming engine L 3J Aeronca 65TC Defender 1 additional aircraft impressed 4 Continental engine JR 1 Three L 3Cs supplied to the US Navy 4 TG 5 250 were built as training gliders for the USAAC 4 TG 33 TG 5 converted for prone pilot 4 5 LNR Three TG 5s supplied to the US Navy 4 Operators edit nbsp BrazilBrazilian Air Force L 3C nbsp CubaCuban Air Force received 11 L 3Bs under Lend Lease 6 nbsp ChileChilean Air Force30 L 3B delivered to Chile via Lend Lease program in 1943 all delivered to civil aero clubs 4 Survivors CC KGA at La Ligua CC SHA at Chile s Aviation Museum Two examples in the hands of restorers at Tobalaba airfield Santiago and Los Angeles nbsp Dominican RepublicDominican Air Force received 3 L 3Bs in 1943 7 nbsp United StatesUnited States Army Air Forces United States Navy nbsp VenezuelaAviacion Militar received three L 3Bs 8 Surviving aircraft edit nbsp L 3B Grasshopper at the Cavanaugh Flight MuseumAside from 15 L 3s 2 L 3 7 L 3B and 6 L 3C that remain on the US civil registry as of June 2016 9 a number have also found their way into museums 42 7796 O 58A airworthy with Mark A Henry of Dickinson Texas 10 42 7798 O 58A airworthy with Blake W Henderson of Westmoreland Tennessee 11 42 14773 L 3 airworthy with Audie L Hollon of Milan Missouri 12 13 42 36152 O 58B airworthy with Lee H Montgomery in Corsicana Texas Previously with the Alamo Liaison Squadron in San Antonio Texas 14 15 16 42 36200 L 3B on static display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB near Dayton Ohio 17 18 nbsp L 3D on display at the Silent Wings Museum 42 36639 L 3D on static display at the Silent Wings Museum at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Lubbock Texas 43 1844 O 58B airworthy at the Port Townsend Aero Museum in Port Townsend Washington 19 20 21 43 26772 L 3B on static display at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo Michigan 22 23 43 26819 L 3B on static display at the Museo Nacional Aeronautico y del Espacio in Santiago Chile 24 43 27184 L3 B Being restored in Sturgis Mi 058B 13213 NC 47262 Unknown L 3B on static display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle Washington 25 Unknown L 3B airworthy at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison Texas 26 27 Removed from public display when the museum indefinitely closed on 1 January 2024 To be moved to North Texas Regional Airport in Denison Texas 28 Unknown L 3 airworthy at the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center in Elmira New York 29 30 Unknown L 3 on display at the Vintage Flying Museum in Fort Worth Texas 31 Unknown L 3B airworthy at the Western Antique Aeroplane amp Automobile Museum in Hood River Oregon 32 33 34 Unknown L 3E airworthy with Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force in El Cajon California 35 36 Unknown L 3E under restoration with the Spirit of Tulsa of the Commemorative Air Force in Tulsa Oklahoma 37 38 Unknown L 3E airworthy with the Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Portage Des Sioux Missouri 39 40 Unknown O 58B airworthy with Nicholas S Kapotes of Pompton Plains New Jersey 41 43 26861 L 3B airworthy with James S Tate of Nashville Tennessee 42 failed verification Unknown L 3 on static display at the National D Day Memorial in Bedford Virginia 43 058B2692 L 3B airworthy with Air1 Aircraft of Westfield Massachusetts 44 058B6212 O 58B airworthy with Bruce Gapstur of Belle Plaine Iowa 45 058B 8272 O 58B airworthy with Todd H Dickens of Charlotte North Carolina 46 31316 65 TAC L3 airworthy at La Victoria de Chacabuco Airport in Chile Registered as CC AVO citation needed Specifications L 3C edit nbsp 3 view line drawing of the Aeronca L 3 GrasshopperData from Jane s Fighting Aircraft of World War II 47 General characteristicsCrew 2 pilot observer Length 21 ft 10 in 6 67 m Wingspan 35 ft 0 in 10 67 m Height 9 ft 1 in 2 74 m Wing area 169 sq ft 15 6 m2 Empty weight 835 lb 379 kg Gross weight 1 260 lb 572 kg Powerplant 1 Continental O 170 3 OR a Continental A 65 8 flat 4 engine 65 hp 48 kW Performance Maximum speed 87 mph 139 km h 76 kn Cruise speed 79 mph 126 km h 69 kn Stall speed 46 mph 73 km h 40 kn Range 218 mi 350 km 189 nmi Service ceiling 10 000 ft 3 050 m Rate of climb 404 ft min 2 05 m s Wing loading 7 45 lb sq ft 36 1 kg m2 Power mass 051 hp lb 85 W kg See also edit nbsp Aviation portalAeronca Chief familyRelated development Aeronca 50 ChiefAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Taylorcraft L 2 Piper L 4 Levente IIRelated lists List of aircraft of World War II List of military aircraft of the United StatesNotes edit Swanborough and Bowers 1963 p 31 Mondey 1996 p 8 Swanborough and Bowers 1963 pp 32 33 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Adcock 2005 p 21 Swanborough and Bowers 1963 p 584 Hagedorn 1993 p 15 Hagedorn 1993 p 97 Air International September 1973 p 121 FAA Registry Search for Aeronca L 3 accessed 12 June 2016 Aircraft Inquiry registry faa gov Retrieved 2021 11 02 FAA REGISTRY N46513 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 Airframe Dossier Aeronca L 3 Grasshopper s n 42 14773 USAAF c r N4209K Aerial Visuals AerialVisuals ca Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N4209K Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 Alamo Liaison Squadron Picture Gallery The Alamo Liaison Squadron Alamo Liaison Squadron Retrieved 6 December 2016 Airframe Dossier Aeronca O 58B Grasshopper s n 42 36152 USAAF c n 058B 1782 c r N52169 Aerial Visuals AerialVisuals ca Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N52169 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 Aeronca L 3B Grasshopper National Museum of the US Air Force 17 April 2015 Retrieved 6 December 2016 Airframe Dossier Aeronca L 3B Grasshopper s n 42 36200 USAAF Aerial Visuals AerialVisuals ca Retrieved 6 December 2016 Aeronca L3 Grasshopper Port Townsend Aero Museum Retrieved 6 December 2016 Airframe Dossier Aeronca O 58B Grasshopper s n 43 1844 USAAF c r N48145 Aerial Visuals AerialVisuals ca Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N48145 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 Aeronca L 3B Defender Air Zoo Air Zoo Archived from the original on 21 December 2016 Retrieved 6 December 2016 Airframe Dossier Aeronca L 3B Grasshopper s n 43 26772 USAAF c n 058B 9093 c r N47139 Aerial Visuals AerialVisuals ca Retrieved 6 December 2016 Airframe Dossier Aeronca L 3B Grasshopper s n 43 26819 USAAC c n 58B 9563 c r CC SHA Aerial Visuals AerialVisuals ca Retrieved 6 December 2016 Aeronca L 3B Grasshopper The Museum Of Flight The Museum Of Flight Retrieved 6 December 2016 Aircraft Cavanaugh Flight Museum Archived from the original on 2016 10 29 Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N47373 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 Sullivan Cole 1 January 2024 Historic Addison flight museum announces closure WFAA Dallas Texas Retrieved 4 January 2024 Aeronca L3 Grasshopper Wings of Eagles Discovery Center Wings of Eagles Discovery Center Archived from the original on 2016 06 29 Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N33769 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 Our Collection Vintage Flying Museum Retrieved 6 December 2016 Aeronca L 3B Grasshopper Western Antique Aeroplane amp Automobile Museum WAAAM Retrieved 6 December 2016 Airframe Dossier Aeronca O 58B Grasshopper c r N47751 Aerial Visuals AerialVisuals ca Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N47751 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 1941 L 3B Grasshopper Air Group One Air Group One CAF Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N36687 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 CAF Ghost Squadron The Liaison Observation Aircraft Commemorative Air Force Headquarters Commemorative Air Force Archived from the original on 14 December 2016 Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N27336 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 L3 Lil Show Me Commemorative Air Force Missouri Wing Commemorative Air Force Missouri Wing Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N36681 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N46248 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N48441 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 6 December 2016 Airframe Dossier Aeronca50 65 L 3 Champion LNR O 58 TG 5 TG 33 c n 16645 Aerial Visuals AerialVisuals ca Retrieved 6 December 2016 FAA REGISTRY N46893 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation FAA REGISTRY N46082 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 1 May 2020 FAA REGISTRY N49705 Federal Aviation Administration U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 1 May 2020 Bridgeman Leonard The Aeronca Grasshopper Jane s Fighting Aircraft of World War II London Studio 1946 p 203 204 ISBN 1 85170 493 0 References editAdcock Al 2005 US Liaison Air in Action Aircraft Number 195 Carrollton Texas Squadron Signal Publications pp 21 24 ISBN 0 89747 487 2 Andrade John M 1979 U S Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909 Midland Counties Publications ISBN 0 904597 22 9 Abel Alan 2001 Aeronca s Golden Age Wind Canyon Books ISBN 1 891118 42 0 Guillemette Roger Aeronca L 3 US Centennial of Flight Commission Archived from the original on 4 January 2006 Retrieved 2006 01 04 Hagedorn Daniel P 1993 Central American and Caribbean Air Forces Tonbridge Kent UK Air Britain Historians Ltd ISBN 0 85130 210 6 Mondey David 1996 The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II London Chancellor Press ISBN 185152 706 0 Swanborough F G Peter M Bowers 1963 United States Military Aircraft since 1909 London Putnam Venezuela Refurbishes Her Aerial Sombrero Air International 5 3 118 124 150 September 1973 Aeronca L 3 Aircraft Finder AeroWeb The Aviation Enthusiast Corner City University of New York Archived from the original on 2006 01 18 Retrieved 2006 01 04 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aeronca L 3 Grasshopper L 3 page at the National Museum of the United States Air Force L 3 page at Warbird Alley L 3 page at Museo Nacional Aeronautico y del Espacio de Chile Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aeronca L 3 amp oldid 1194210705, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
