Aeronca L-3#Surviving aircraft

{{Infobox aircraft

|name= L-3 Grasshopper

|image=Aeronca_L-3B_Grasshopper_USAF.jpg

|caption= Aeronca L-3B belonging to the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

|type= Observation and liaison aircraft

|manufacturer= Aeronca Aircraft

|designer=

|first_flight= 1941

|introduction=

|retired=

|status=

|primary_user= United States Army Air Forces

|more_users=

|produced=

|number_built=

|developed_from= Aeronca 50 Chief

|variants=

}}

The Aeronca L-3 group of observation and liaison aircraft were used by the United States Army Air Corps in World War II. The L-3 series were adapted from Aeronca's pre-war Tandem Trainer and Chief models.

Design and development

In 1941, the United States Army Air Corps ordered four examples of the Aeronca 65 TC Defender, designated YO-58, for evaluation of the suitability of light aircraft for observation and liaison purposes. (It also placed similar orders with Piper and Taylorcraft Aircraft). Service tests during the US Army's annual maneuvers proved successful, and resulted in large orders being placed. In 1942, the O-58 was redesignated L-3.Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p. 31.Mondey 1996, p. 8.

When American forces went into combat after Pearl Harbor, the Army Air Force used the L-3 in much the same manner as observation balloons were used during World War I—spotting activities and directing artillery fire. It was also used for liaison and transport duties and short-range reconnaissance which required airplanes to land and take off in short distances from unprepared landing strips. Liaison pilots would train on L-3s before moving on to front-line aircraft like the Piper L-4 or the Stinson L-5. Some L-3s were shipped to North Africa, and subsequently given to the Free French Forces in the area at the time. At least one of the aircraft served with US forces in Italy.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}And minimally one other did service in Normandy, as reported by the Detroit Free Press on 25 June 1944, with a photograph indicating transport of medical supplies to the advancing front-line regiments.

The TG-5 was a three-seat training glider of 1942 based upon the O-58 design. This aircraft retained the O-58's rear fuselage, wings, and tail while adding a new front fuselage in place of the engine. In all, Aeronca built 250 TG-5 gliders for the Army. The Navy received three as the LNR-1.Swanborough and Bowers 1963, pp. 32–33.

File:Aeronca Grasshopper L-3B of the United States Army Air Forces, now private as G-BRHP 29Sept2018 arp.jpg, now privately owned as G-BRHP in England]]

Variants

File:Aeronca TG-5 Glider Trainer in flight.jpg

O-58 designation replaced by L-3 designation in April 1942Adcock, 2005, p.21

YO-58 – Four aircraft with a {{convert|65|hp|abbr=on}} Continental YO-170-3 engine.
O-58 / L-3 – production order of 50, most used for training in the US.
O-58A / L-3A – Fuselage widened four inches and extended greenhouse canopy. 20 built.
O-58B / L-3B – Modified canopy and additional radio equipment. 875 built.
O-58C / L-3C – As O-58B/L-3B but with radio equipment removed for use as trainer. 490 built.
L-3D – Aeronca 65TF Defender. 11 aircraft impressed.
L-3E – Aeronca 65TC Defender. 12 aircraft impressed. Continental engine.
L-3F – Aeronca 65CA Defender. 19 aircraft impressed.
L-3G – Aeronca 65L Super Chief with side by side seating. 4 aircraft impressed. Lycoming engine.
L-3H – Aeronca 65TL Defender. 1 aircraft impressed) Lycoming engine.
L-3J – Aeronca 65TC Defender 1 additional aircraft impressed. Continental engine.
JR-1 – Three L-3Cs supplied to the US Navy.
TG-5 – 250 were built as training gliders for the USAAC.
TG-33 – TG-5 converted for prone pilot.Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p.584.
LNR – Three TG-5s supplied to the US Navy.

Operators

;{{flag|Brazil}}

Brazilian Air Force L-3C

;{{CUB}}

Cuban Air Force - received 11 L-3Bs under Lend-Lease.Hagedorn 1993, p. 15.

;{{CHI}}:

Chilean Air Force

30 L-3B delivered to Chile via Lend-Lease program in 1943, all delivered to civil aero clubs. 4 Survivors (CC-KGA at La Ligua, CC-SHA at Chile's Aviation Museum. Two examples in the hands of restorers at Tobalaba airfield, Santiago, and Los Angeles.)

;{{DOM}}

Dominican Air Force - received 3 L-3Bs in 1943.Hagedorn 1993, p. 97.

;{{USA}}:

;{{VEN}}

Aviación Militar – received three L-3Bs.Air International September 1973, p. 121.

Surviving aircraft

File:Cavanaugh Flight Museum-2008-10-29-012 (4270559186).jpg]]

Aside from 15 L-3s (2 L-3, 7 L-3B, and 6 L-3C) that remain on the US civil registry as of June 2016,[http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=AERONCA&Modeltxt=L-3&PageNo=1 FAA Registry Search for Aeronca L-3] accessed 12 June 2016 a number have also found their way into museums

42-7796 – O-58A airworthy with Mark A. Henry of Dickinson, Texas{{Cite web|title=Aircraft Inquiry|url=https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Search/NNumberInquiry?error=No%20N-Number%20was%20entered!|access-date=2021-11-02|website=registry.faa.gov}}
42-7798 – O-58A airworthy with Blake W. Henderson of Westmoreland, Tennessee.{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N46513]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N46513|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
42-14773 – L-3 airworthy with Audie L. Hollon of Milan, Missouri.{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper, s/n 42-14773 USAAF, c/r N4209K|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=161877|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N4209K]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N4209K|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
42-36152 – O-58B airworthy with Lee H. Montgomery in Corsicana, Texas. Previously with the Alamo Liaison Squadron in San Antonio, Texas.{{cite web|title=Alamo Liaison Squadron Picture Gallery|url=http://www.als-cannonfield.com/PictureGallery.htm|website=The Alamo Liaison Squadron|publisher=Alamo Liaison Squadron|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Aeronca O-58B Grasshopper, s/n 42-36152 USAAF, c/n 058B-1782, c/r N52169|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=67376|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N52169]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N52169|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
42-36200 – L-3B on static display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio.{{cite web|title=Aeronca L-3B "Grasshopper"|url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196269/aeronca-l-3b-grasshopper/|website=National Museum of the US Air Force|access-date=6 December 2016|date=17 April 2015}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Aeronca L-3B Grasshopper, s/n 42-36200 USAAF|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=71054|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 December 2016}}
File:L-3D 42-36639.jpg.]]42-36639 – L-3D on static display at the Silent Wings Museum at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Lubbock, Texas
43-1844 – O-58B airworthy at the Port Townsend Aero Museum in Port Townsend, Washington.{{cite web|title=Aeronca L3 "Grasshopper"|url=http://www.ptaeromuseum.com/aircraft_collection/aeronca_l3/aeroncal3.html|website=Port Townsend Aero Museum|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Aeronca O-58B Grasshopper, s/n 43-1844 USAAF, c/r N48145|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=59305|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N48145]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N48145|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
43-2820 – L-3E airworthy with the Butler County Warbirds in Middletown, Ohio.{{cite web |title=Aeronca L-3E |url=http://www.bcwarbirds.com/aeronca-l-3e.html |website=Butler County Warbirds |access-date=22 May 2025}}
43-26772 – L-3B on static display at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan.{{cite web|title=Aeronca L-3B Defender|url=http://www.airzoo.org/page.php?page_id=202|website=Air Zoo|publisher=Air Zoo|access-date=6 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221014312/http://www.airzoo.org/page.php?page_id=202|archive-date=21 December 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Aeronca L-3B Grasshopper, s/n 43-26772 USAAF, c/n 058B-9093, c/r N47139|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=74056|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 December 2016}}
43-26819 – L-3B on static display at the Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio in Santiago, Chile.{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Aeronca L-3B Grasshopper, s/n 43-26819 USAAC, c/n 58B 9563, c/r CC-SHA|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=152758|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 December 2016}}
43-27184 – L-3B Being restored in Sturgis, Mi. 058B-13213 NC 47262{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}
Unknown – L-3B on static display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.{{cite web|title=Aeronca L-3B Grasshopper|url=http://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/aeronca-l-3b-o-58b-grasshopper|website=The Museum Of Flight|publisher=The Museum Of Flight|access-date=6 December 2016}}
Unknown – L-3B airworthy at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas.{{cite web|title=Aircraft|url=http://www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com/collections/aircraft|website=Cavanaugh Flight Museum|access-date=6 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029175706/http://www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com/collections/aircraft|archive-date=2016-10-29|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N47373]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N47373|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}} Removed from public display when the museum indefinitely closed on 1 January 2024. To be moved to North Texas Regional Airport in Denison, Texas.{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Cole |date=1 January 2024 |title=Historic Addison flight museum announces closure |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/addison-texas-cavanaugh-flight-museum-closing/287-85fe72cf-3131-4919-88ed-e92d8cfa30c0 |work=WFAA |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=4 January 2024}}
Unknown – L-3 airworthy at the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center in Elmira, New York.{{cite web|title=Aeronca L3 (Grasshopper)|url=http://www.wingsofeagles.com/browse-the-collection/aircraft/aeronca-l3-grasshopper|website=Wings of Eagles Discovery Center|publisher=Wings of Eagles Discovery Center|access-date=6 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629103843/http://www.wingsofeagles.com/browse-the-collection/aircraft/aeronca-l3-grasshopper/|archive-date=2016-06-29|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N33769]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N33769|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
Unknown – L-3 on display at the Vintage Flying Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.{{cite web|title=Our Collection|url=http://vintageflyingmuseum.org/on-display|website=Vintage Flying Museum|access-date=6 December 2016}}
Unknown – L-3B airworthy at the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.{{cite web|title=Aeronca L-3B Grasshopper|url=http://www.waaamuseum.org/collections/airplanes/188-Aeronca-L-3B-Grasshopper|website=Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum|publisher=WAAAM|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Aeronca O-58B Grasshopper, c/r N47751|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=62753|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N47751]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N47751|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
Unknown – L-3E airworthy with Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force in El Cajon, California.{{cite web|title=1941 L-3B Grasshopper|url=http://ag1caf.org/l-3-grasshopper|website=Air Group One|publisher=Air Group One CAF|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N36687]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N36687|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
Unknown – L-3E under restoration with the Spirit of Tulsa of the Commemorative Air Force in Tulsa, Oklahoma.{{cite web|title=CAF Ghost Squadron- The Liaison/Observation Aircraft|url=http://commemorativeairforce.org/airplanes/ghost-squadron/91-caf-aircraft/130-caf-liason-transport|website=Commemorative Air Force Headquarters|publisher=Commemorative Air Force|access-date=6 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214180602/http://commemorativeairforce.org/airplanes/ghost-squadron/91-caf-aircraft/130-caf-liason-transport|archive-date=14 December 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N27336]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N27336|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
Unknown – L-3E airworthy with the Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Portage Des Sioux, Missouri.{{cite web|title=L3 "Lil' Show Me"|url=http://cafmo.org/content/our-aircraft/l3/l3.aspx|website=Commemorative Air Force – Missouri Wing|publisher=Commemorative Air Force – Missouri Wing|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N36681]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N36681|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
Unknown – O-58B airworthy with Nicholas S. Kapotes of Pompton Plains, New Jersey.{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N46248]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N46248|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}
43-26861 – L-3B airworthy with James S. Tate of Nashville, Tennessee.{{cite web|title=FAA REGISTRY [N48441]|url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N48441|website=Federal Aviation Administration|publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation|access-date=6 December 2016}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2020}}
Unknown – L-3 on static display at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia.{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier – Aeronca50/65 / L-3 Champion / LNR / O-58 / TG-5 / TG-33, c/n 16645|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=86318|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|access-date=6 December 2016}}
058B2692 – L-3B airworthy with Air1 Aircraft of Westfield, Massachusetts.{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY [N46893] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=46893 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation}}
058B6212 – O-58B airworthy with Bruce Gapstur of Belle Plaine, Iowa.{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY [N46082] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N46082 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=1 May 2020}}
058B-8272 – O-58B airworthy with Todd H. Dickens of Charlotte, North Carolina.{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY [N49705] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N49705 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=1 May 2020}}
31316 – 65-TAC-L3 airworthy at La Victoria de Chacabuco Airport in Chile. Registered as CC-AVO.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

Specifications (L-3C)

File:Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper 3-view line drawing.png

{{Aircraft specs

|prime units?=imp

|ref=Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II.{{Ref Jane's|The Aeronca Grasshopper|203–204}}

|crew=2: pilot, observer

|length ft=21

|length in=10

|length m=6.67

|span ft=35

|span in=0

|span m=10.67

|height ft=9

|height in=1

|height m=2.74

|wing area sqft=169

|wing area sqm=15.6

|empty weight lb=835

|empty weight kg=379

|gross weight lb=1,260

|gross weight kg=572

|eng1 name=Continental O-170-3 OR a Continental A-65-8

|eng1 type=flat-4 engine

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 hp=65

|eng1 kw=48

|max speed mph=87

|max speed kts=76

|max speed kmh=139

|cruise speed mph=79

|cruise speed kts=69

|cruise speed kmh=126

|stall speed mph=46

|stall speed kts=40

|stall speed kmh=73

|range miles=218

|range nmi=189

|range km=350

|ceiling ft=10,000

|ceiling m=3,050

|climb rate ftmin=404

|wing loading lb/sqft=7.45

|wing loading kg/m2=36.1

|power/mass=.051 hp/lb (85 W/kg)

}}

Notes

References

{{cite book|last1=Adcock|first1=Al|title=US Liaison Air in Action – Aircraft Number 195|publisher=Squadron Signal Publications|location=Carrollton, Texas|year=2005 |isbn=0-89747-487-2|pages=21–24}}
{{cite book|author=Andrade, John M.|title=U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909|publisher=Midland Counties Publications|year=1979|isbn=0-904597-22-9}}
{{cite book|author=Abel, Alan|title=Aeronca's Golden Age|publisher=Wind Canyon Books|year=2001|isbn=1-891118-42-0}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/GENERAL_AVIATION/aeronca/GA7.htm |title=Aeronca L-3 |last=Guillemette |first=Roger |work=US Centennial of Flight Commission |access-date=2006-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104154049/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/GENERAL_AVIATION/aeronca/GA7.htm |archive-date=4 January 2006 |url-status=dead}}
{{cite book |last=Hagedorn |first=Daniel P. |title=Central American and Caribbean Air Forces |year=1993 |location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd |isbn=0-85130-210-6}}
{{cite book|last=Mondey|first=David|title=The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II|year=1996|publisher=Chancellor Press|location=London|isbn=185152-706-0}}
{{cite book|last=Swanborough|first=F.G.|author2=Peter M. Bowers|title=United States Military Aircraft since 1909|publisher=Putnam|location=London|year=1963}}
{{cite journal|title=Venezuela Refurbishes Her Aerial Sombrero|journal=Air International|date=September 1973|volume= 5|issue= 3|pages=118–124, 150}}
{{cite web|url=http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/locator/manufact/aeronca/l-3.htm|title=Aeronca L-3 Aircraft Finder|work=AeroWeb: The Aviation Enthusiast Corner|access-date=2006-01-04|publisher=City University of New York|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060118131450/http://aeroweb.brooklyn.cuny.edu/locator/manufact/aeronca/l-3.htm|archive-date=2006-01-18}}

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20060716063053/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/air_power/ap6.htm L-3 page at the National Museum of the United States Air Force]
[http://www.warbirdalley.com/l3.htm L-3 page at Warbird Alley]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20120210132808/http://www.museoaeronautico.cl/espanol/pop-ficha.php?id=26 L-3 page at Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio de Chile]

L-03, Aeronca

Category:Aeronca aircraft

Category:High-wing aircraft

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1941

Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear

Category:Single-engined piston aircraft