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5050 Santa Fe Drive • Atwater, California • 95301
Stinson L-5 Sentinel
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 World War II 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 over 3,896 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.
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.
Five versions were produced for the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF); the L-5, L-5B, L-5C, L-5E and L-5G. There was no L-5A variant as is often reported, as the designation was intended for conversions of some L-5s modified with 24V electrical systems. The conversions were cancelled when the modification became standard on all subsequent models. 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 0Y-1 and 0Y-2. The latter differed from all others in that it had a 24 volt electrical system instead of the previously standard 12 volts. The British procured 40 L-5s, known as Sentinel Is, and 60 L-5Bs known as Sentinel IIs.
Specifications
Country of Origin:
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United States
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Manufacturer:
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Stinson Aircraft Division of Consolidated-Vultee
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Role/Function:
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Liaison/Observation
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Serial Number:
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n/a
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Model Number/Mk #:
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Model 105
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Crew:
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2 (pilot and passenger)
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Power Plant:
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1 - 185 hp Lycoming O-435-1
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Maximum Speed:
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163 mph.
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Cruising Speed:
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42 mph. -- stall speed
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Service Ceiling:
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15,800 ft.
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Range:
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375 nm.
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Weights:
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Empty: 1,550 lbs. Maximum: 2,020 lbs.
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Wing Span:
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34 ft.
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Length:
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24 ft. 1 in.
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Height:
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7 ft. 11 in.
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Wing Area:
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155 ft²
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Armament:
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None.
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Cost:
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n/a
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Number Built:
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Over 3,896
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# in Current Service:
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None. Most in museums or in private collections
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MUSEUM HOURS
April 1- September 30
9:00am - 5:00pm
October 1 - March 31
10:00am - 4:00pm
The museum is open
daily year round (weather permitting),
except for the
following days:
New Year's Day,
Easter,
Thanksgiving and
Christmas Day.
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