Stinson L-13

The Stinson L-13 (sometimes known as the Grasshopper, like other aircraft of its type) is a US military utility aircraft first flown in 1945.

Development

The aircraft design was developed at Stinson in response to a request from the United States Army Air Force for a light observation/liaison aircraft. At that time Stinson was a subsidiary of Consolidated-Vultee. The first two prototypes were constructed at the Stinson facility in Michigan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1948 the Convair board were restructuring their various units, and negotiated to sell the Stinson subsidiary to Piper Aircraft. The L-13 project was specifically not included in the assets of the sale, however, and Convair continued its production in-house; ultimately building 300 units as the Convair L-13.

It was a conventional high-wing tailwheel monoplane used for observation, liaison, and air ambulance duties, which typically require low landing speeds and short landing rolls. It was fitted with a large "greenhouse" to enhance its observation role.

Following their military service and resale into the private market, some units were converted for civil bush flying use, fitting a radial engine by Acme Aircraft Company as the Centaur, while others underwent similar conversions by Caribbean Traders Inc, as the Husky.<ref name="Wegg p180-1">Wegg 1990, pp. 180-181.</ref>

Variants

XL-13

Prototype aircraft, powered by 245 hp (183 kW) Franklin O-425-6 engine. Two built.<ref name="Wegg p180">Wegg 1990, p.180.</ref>

L-13A

Production aircraft, powered by 250 hp (187 kW) O-425-9 engine. 300 built.<ref name="Wegg p180"/>

L-13B

Conversion of L-13A for cold weather operation, capable of operating from wheels, skis or floats. 28 converted.<ref name="Harding p92">Harding 1990, p.92.</ref><ref>Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p.489.</ref>

Acme Centaur 101

Conversion of L-13 as six-seat bush aircraft. Powered by 300 hp (224 kW) Lycoming R-680-E3.<ref name="Wegg p180-1"/>

Acme Centaur 102

Similar to Acme Centaur 101, with a 300hp Jacobs R-755-A2 radial.<ref name="Wegg p180-1"/>

File:Convair L-13 N4236Kx VNY 27.09.86 edited-3.jpg

L-13A converted to Caribbean Traders Husky III standard with a 450 h.p. Wright R-975 engine

Caribbean Traders Husky I

Civil conversion of L-13A. Retained O-425 engine.<ref name="Wegg p180-1"/><ref name="flight 55 p466">Flight 9 September 1955, p. 466.</ref>

Caribbean Traders Husky II

Civil conversion of L-13A. Powered by 300 hp R-680-13 engine on modified engine mount capable of swinging out for easy maintenance.<ref name="Wegg p180-1"/><ref name="flight 55 p466"/>

Caribbean Traders Husky III

Similar to Husky II, but powered by 450 hp (338 kW) Wright R-975-7 radial engine.<ref name="Wegg p180-1"/><ref name="flight 55 p466"/>

Servicair Loadmaster

Reconstruction of L-13A with 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 radial engine and rearranged four-seat cabin.<ref>Taylor 1961, p. 316.</ref>

Operators

Template:USA

• United States Air Force
• United States Army received 43 ex-Air Force L-13As following the outbreak of the Korean War, serving in the Continental United States to free up aircraft for active service overseas.<ref>Harding 1990, pp. 91-92.</ref>

Surviving aircraft

Brazil

• 47-406 – L-13 on display at the TAM Museum in São Carlos, São Paulo.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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United States

• 46-159 – L-13A in storage at the United States Army Aviation Museum at Fort Novosel near Daleville, Alabama.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• 47-275 – L-13A on display at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum in Fayetteville, Arkansas.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• 47-287 – L-13A in storage at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• 47-316 – L-13A airworthy at the War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• 47-355 – L-13 on static display at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• 47-394 – L-13A on static display at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• 47-412 – L-13B airworthy at the Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington, Washington.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Specifications (L-13A)

3-view line drawing of the Stinson L-13A

References

Bibliography

• "Convair Conversion." Flight, 9 September 1955, p. 466.
• "Plane With Folding Wings Can Be Towed Like A Glider" , March 1947, Popular Mechanics rare photos of L-13 folded for towing by jeep
• Template:Cite magazine
• Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife, 1990. Template:ISBN.
• Swanborough, F.G. and Bowers, Peter M. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London:Putnam, 1963.
• Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd., 1961.
• Wegg, John. General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors. London:Putnam, 1990. Template:ISBN.