Stinson_L-13

Stinson L-13

Stinson L-13

Type of aircraft

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.

Quick Facts L-13 Grasshopper, Role ...

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.[1] 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.[2]

Variants

XL-13
Prototype aircraft, powered by 245 hp (183 kW) Franklin O-425-6 engine. Two built.[3]
L-13A
Production aircraft, powered by 250 hp (187 kW) O-425-9 engine. 300 built.[3]
L-13B
Conversion of L-13A for cold weather operation, capable of operating from wheels, skis or floats. 28 converted.[4][5]
Acme Centaur 101
Conversion of L-13 as six-seat bush aircraft. Powered by 300 hp (224 kW) Lycoming R-680-E3.[2]
Acme Centaur 102
Similar to Acme Centaur 101, with a 300hp Jacobs R-755-A2 radial.[2]
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.[2][6]
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.[2][6]
Caribbean Traders Husky III
Similar to Husky II, but powered by 450 hp (338 kW) Wright R-975-7 radial engine.[2][6]
Servicair Loadmaster
Reconstruction of L-13A with 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 radial engine and rearranged four-seat cabin.[7]

Operators

 United States

Surviving aircraft

Brazil

United States

Specifications (L-13A)

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

Data from General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors [22]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 2 passengers
  • Length: 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m)
  • Wingspan: 40 ft 5+1⁄2 in (12.332 m)
  • Height: 8 ft 5 in (2.57 m)
  • Wing area: 270 sq ft (25 m2)
  • Empty weight: 2,070 lb (939 kg)
  • Gross weight: 3,185 lb (1,445 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Franklin O-425-9 air-cooled flat-six engine, 250 hp (190 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 92 mph (148 km/h, 80 kn)
  • Range: 368 mi (592 km, 320 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
  • Rate of climb: 830 ft/min (4.2 m/s)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stinson L-13.

Notes

  1. [1]
    Jason McDowell (29 November 2022). "History's Unique Aircraft: The large, slow-moving shadow of the Convair L-13". Flying/Daily Newsletter. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  2. [2]
    Wegg 1990, pp. 180-181.
  3. [3]
    Wegg 1990, p.180.
  4. [4]
    Harding 1990, p.92.
  5. [5]
    Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p.489.
  6. [6]
    Flight 9 September 1955, p. 466.
  7. [7]
    Taylor 1961, p. 316.
  8. [8]
    Harding 1990, pp. 91-92.
  9. [9]
    "Airframe Dossier - Convair L-13, s/n 47-0406 USAF, c/n 286, c/r N4236K". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  10. [10]
    "Aircraft". Arkansas Air and Military Museum. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  11. [11]
    "Airframe Dossier - Convair L-13A, s/n 47-0275 USAAF, c/r N275LG". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  12. [12]
    "Aircraft on Loan (by Location)" (PDF). National Museum of the United States Air Force. April 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  13. [13]
    Baugher, Joe (30 June 2021). "1946-1948 USAAF-USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher's Home Page. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  14. [14]
    "L-13". War Eagles Air Museum. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  15. [15]
    "FAA Registry [N316LG]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  16. [16]
    "Stinson L-13 Grasshopper". Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  17. [17]
    "Airframe Dossier - Convair L-13, s/n 47-0355 USAF, c/r N2536B". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  18. [18]
    "Stinson L-13A 'Grasshopper'". Planes of Fame Air Museum. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  19. [19]
    "Airframe Dossier - Convair L-13A, s/n 47-0394 USAAF". Aerial Visuals. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  20. [20]
    "L-13 Grasshopper". Heritage Flight Museum. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  21. [21]
    "FAA Registry [N7412]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  22. [22]
    Wegg 1990, p.182.

Bibliography
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