Aeronca L-3

Source: Wiki

The Aeronca L-3 (military: O-58) was an observation and liaison aircraft with 2 seats (pilot and observer or passenger) used by the United States Army Air Corps in World War II. It was adapted from Aeronca's pre-war Tandem Trainer and Chief models. At the time American ground forces went into combat around the world during World War II, the Army Air Force began using the L-3 as an observation plane, i.e., spotting enemy troop and supply concentrations and directing artillery fire on them. It was also used for other types of liaison, transport and reconnaissance that required airplanes that could land and take off in short distances from unprepared landing strips. Unfortunately, by the time that the United States entered the war, the Aeronca L-3 were declared obsolete and never formally left for a foreign front. This was partly caused by a tendency for it to stall and spin in a left-hand turn and partly because newer and more capable aircraft were already being made. Instead they were relegated to training fields to serve as trainers and hacks. Liaison pilots would train in an L-3 and then move on to larger aircraft like the Piper L-4 or the Stinson L-5. Engine was either a Continental O-170-3 or a Continental A-65-8 flat-4 engine.

YO-58 — Four aircraft with a 65 hp & YO-170-3 engine.

O-58 / L-3 — A civilian Aeronca Defender in USAAC markings. Identifiable by "D"-windows in rear, and side-by-side seating.

O-58A / L-3B — Has a greenhouse canopy (like in the photo), tandem seating, small radio mast on vertical stabilizer. Some were fitted with wind-driven generators to provide power to the radios since the airplane had no electrical power.

O-58B / L-3B — An L-3C before USAAC switched classification systems from "Observer" to "Liaison".

L-3C — The body is widened by two inches to accommodate pilots flying with parachutes and other army gear. The radio mast is now a small tab over the vertical stabilizer.

L-3D — D-J model L-3s are not contract aircraft, but aircraft straight from the civilian factory impressed into military service. An L-3D is an Aeronca 65TF Defender with a Franklin engine.

L-3E — An Aeronca 65TC Defender with a Continental engine.

L-3G — 65L Super Chief with a Lycoming engine (4 planes).

L-3H — 65T Defender with a Lycoming engine (1 plane).

L-3J — 65TC Defender with a Continental engine (1 plane).

TG-5 — A modified three-seat training glider. 250 were built as training gliders for the USAAC.

LNR — Three TG-5s that were supplied to the US Navy.