Stinson L-13
| L-13 Grasshopper | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Note the windows in the roof giving excellent field of vision | |
| Role | Observation and Utility Aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Stinson Aircraft Company |
| First flight | 1945 |
| Introduction | 1947 |
| Primary users | United States Air Force United States Army |
| Number built | 302 |
The Stinson L-13 (sometimes known as the Grasshopper, like other aircraft of its type) was a US military utility aircraft first flown in 1945. Developed when Stinson was a subsidiary of Consolidated Vultee, rights to it were not included in the 1948 sale of Stinson to Piper. Mass production was therefore undertaken by Convair, which built some 300 of them.
It was a conventional high-wing tailwheel monoplane used for observation, liaison, and air ambulance duties. Following their military service, some 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.[1]
Variants
- XL-13
- Prototype aircraft, powered by 245 hp (183 kW) Franklin O-425-6 engine. Two built.[2]
- L-13A
- Production aircraft, powered by 250 hp (187 kW) O-452-9 engine. 300 built.[2]
- L-13B
- Conversion of L-13A for cold weather operation, capable of operating from wheels, skis or floats. 28 converted.[3][4]
- Acme Centaur 101
- Conversion of L-13 as six-seat bush aircraft. Powered by 300 hp (224 kW) Lycoming R-680-E3.[1]
- Acme Centaur 102
- Similar to Acme Centaur 101, with Jacobs R-755-A2 radial.[1]
- Caribbean Traders Husky I
- Civil conversion of L-13A. Retained O-425 engine.[1][5]
- 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.[1][5]
- Caribbean Traders Husky III
- Similar to Husky II, but powered by 450 hp (338 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-975-7 radial engine.[1][5]
Operators
- 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.[6]
Specifications (L-13A)
Data from General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors [7]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: two passengers
- Length: 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft 5½ in (12.33 m)
- Height: 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m)
- Wing area: 270 sq ft (25.1 m²)
- Empty weight: 2,070 lb (941 kg)
- Loaded weight: 3,185lb (1,448 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Franklin O-425-9 air-cooled flat-six piston engine, 250 hp (187 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 115 mph (100 knots, 185 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 92 mph (80 knots, 148 km/h)
- Range: 368 miles (320 nmi, 592 km)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,570 m)
- Rate of climb: 830 ft/min (4.2 m/s)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Notes
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stinson L-13. |
- "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
- Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.
- Swanborough, F.G. and Bowers, Peter M. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London:Putnam, 1963.
- Wegg, John. General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors. London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-833-X.
