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Stinson L-13

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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]
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.[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) Wright R-975-7 radial engine.[1][5]

Operators

 United States

Specifications (L-13A)

Data from General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors [7]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: two passengers

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wegg 1990, pp. 180-181.
  2. ^ a b Wegg 1990, p.180.
  3. ^ Harding 1990, p.92.
  4. ^ Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p.489.
  5. ^ a b c Flight 9 September 1955, p.466.
  6. ^ Harding 1990, pp. 91-92.
  7. ^ Wegg 1990, p.182.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stinson L-13.
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