Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper
The L-3 liaison aircraft, originally designated O-58, is the military version of the
Aeronca Model 65 "Defender." This high-wing, light airplane could operate from
small, hastily-built flying fields. The Army ordered the first O-58s in 1941 to test the
use of light aircraft for liaison and observation missions in direct support of ground
forces.
Between 1941 and 1943, Aeronca Aircraft Corp. of Middleton, Ohio, built more than 1,400
of these aircraft for the Army--875 of them were L-3Bs. During WW II, Aeronca L-3s joined
similar "Grasshoppers" in artillery fire direction, courier service, front-line
liaison and pilot training. In 1942, Aeronca developed the TG-5, a training glider based
on the O-58. The three-seat glider had a front fuselage replacing the engine, but retained
the rear fuselage, wings and tail of the powered version. Aeronca built 250 TG-5s for the
Army.
| General characteristics L-3 |
| Primary function |
Utility |
| Contractor |
Aeronca Aircraft Corp. |
| Power plant |
One Continental O-170-3 engine |
| Thrust |
63 HP |
47 kW |
| Speed |
max. |
87 mph |
140 km/h |
| cruising |
79 mph |
127 km/h |
| Ceiling |
7,874 ft |
2,400 m |
| Range |
186 miles |
300 km |
| Armament |
None |
| Crew |
Two |
| Cost |
$2,826 |
Jirka Wagner (If you find
some photo, send it to me, please)
Copyright © All Rights Reserved