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Stinson Vigilant
| Vigilant | |
|---|---|
| RAF Stinson Vigilant photographed at Air Fighting Development Unit, Duxford, UK, 1941-42 | |
| Type | Light Observation |
| Manufacturer | Stinson Aircraft Corporation |
| Primary users | United States Army Air Corps Royal Air Force |
| Number built | 324 |
The Stinson Model 74 Vigilant was a 1940s American light observation aircraft built by the Stinson Aircraft Company at Wayne, Michigan (by November 1940 a division of Vultee Aircraft Corporation)[1]. The aircraft was operated by the United States Army Air Corps as the O-49 and after 1942 as the L-1.
Contents
Design and development
The Vigilant was designed in response to a United States Army Air Corps requirement for a two-seat light observation aircraft. The Stinson Model 74 was a single radial engined high-wing monoplane with trailing-edge high-lift devices for low speed and high lift performance. Three aircraft were built, with the military designation YO-49 for evaluation against the Bellanca YO-50 and the Ryan YO-51. Stinson was awarded the contract for 142 production aircraft with the designation O-49.
Operational service
The Stinson 0-49 was used in diverse roles such as towing training gliders, artillery spotting, liaison, emergency rescue, transporting supplies, and special espionage flights[2]. Another contract was later awarded for the O-49A which had a slightly longer fuselage and other equipment changes. In 1942 the aircraft were redesignated the L-1 and L-1A. Eight L-1 and hundred L-1A aircraft were allocated to the British Royal Air Force under the Lend-Lease Act. The RAF designated the aircraft the Vigilant Mk I and Vigilant Mk II.
Aircraft were modified for a variety of roles including as an ambulance aircraft. No further production orders were placed as the aircraft was replaced by the Grasshopper family of aircraft.
Variants
- Stinson Model 74 - company designation
- O-49 Vigilant - US military designation for first production batch, later to L-1, 142 built.
- O-49A Vigilant - US military designation for second production batch, later to L-1A 182 built.
- O-49B Vigilant - conversion to ambulance version, later L-1B, three conversions.
- L-1 Vigilant - US military designation for first production batch changed from O-49.
- L-1A Vigilant - US military designation for second production batch changed from O-49A.
- L-1B Vigilant - conversion to ambulance version changed from O-49B.
- L-1C Vigilant - conversion to ambulance version with revised interior, one conversion.
- L-1D Vigilant - conversion for glider pick-up training, 21 conversions.
- L-1E Vigilant - conversion of L-1 to ambulance version with float landing gear, seven conversion.
- L-1F Vigilant - conversion of L-1A to ambulance version with float landing gear, five conversions.
- Vigilant Mk I - RAF designation of L-1
- Vigilant Mk II - RAF designation of L-1A
- CQ-2 Vigilant - conversion to target control aircraft
Operators
Specifications (L-1A)
Data from American Warplanes of World War II[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 34 ft 3 in (10.44 m)
- Wingspan: 50 ft 11 in (15.52 m)
- Height: 10 ft 2in (3.10 m)
- Wing area: 329 ft² (30.6 m²)
- Empty weight: 2670 lb (1211 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 3400 lb (1542 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Lycoming R-680-9 radial piston, 295 hp (220 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 106 knots (122 mph, 196 km/h)
- Range: 243 nm (280 mi, 451 km)
- Service ceiling: 12,800 ft (3900 m)
- Rate of climb: 408 ft/min (124.36 m/min)
- Wing loading: 10.3 lb/ft² (50.4 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.0867 hp/lb (0.143 kW/kg)
References
- ↑ The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, (Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), page 1100
- ↑ Photo Gallery
- ↑ Donald, David (ed.). American Warplanes of World War II. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1995. ISBN 1-874023-72-7.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). London: Orbis Publishing.
External links
See also
Related lists
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
Template:USAF liaison aircraft Template:USAAF observation aircraft Template:USAAF drones Template:Vultee aircraft
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
de:Stinson L-1 it:Stinson L-1 Vigilant
| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Stinson Vigilant". |
