The Stinson L-5/OY-1 Sentinel was one of a series of private light aircraft used by the Army Air Corps in all theaters of war during World War II. The primary missions of these aircraft were liaison, reconnaissance, OSS agent infiltration, artillery spotting, air ambulance, and communications. The L-5/OY-1 is capable of taking off and landing in a very short area, which makes it ideally suited for its mission.


For more pictures of the L-5/OY-1, go to the Photo Gallery

Specifications:

Manufacturer: Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Co.
Year: 1942
Engine: Lycoming 0-435-1, 6 cylinder, air cooled, 185 hp
Length: 24 ft. 1 in., Height: 7 ft. 11 in.
Wingspan: 34 ft. 10 in.
Wing Area: 155 sq. ft.
Empty Weight: 1,550 lbs., Gross Weight: 2,020 lbs., Max Weight: 2,020 lbs.
Range: 420 mi.
Cruise Speed: 90 mph, Max Speed: 130 mph
Ceiling: 15,800 ft.
Payload: Pilot and one passenger or one stretcher (L-5B)
Production: 1,730
Fuel Consumption: 13 U.S. gallons/hour (average)

Sponsorship:
A flying sponsorship of the L-5 is $1,500 payable over a two year period.
A Restoration/Maintenance Sponsorship is $750.
A Supporting Sponsorship is $150.
Please contact our Squadron Leader for more info.

History:

-The Old Dominion Squadron’s L-5/OY-1 (N9315H, 42-15060) was acquired as a donation from a generous private citizen and is currently being restored by Old Dominion Squadron Members, with Col. Charles Griminger as project manager. This is aircraft is being restored to near identical condition as an OY-1 operated by the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII.
-Developed from the Stinson 105 Voyager, the L5 was one of a series of commercial light aircraft adapted for Army liaison and communication during World War II.
-While serving on Okinawa, the 163rd Liaison Squadron (using 36 L-5 aircraft) received a Commendation from General Stilwell for evacuating 121 wounded from makeshift forward strips without accident and without interference with normal duties while under heavy fire from the Japanese defenders from May 15, 1945 to June 21, 1945.
-On Okinawa the USMC operated four squadrons of OY-1 aircraft.( Observation Squadrons VMO-2,3,6, AND 7) Each squadron operated eight aircraft and had four additional in reserve. " The VMO squadrons not only spotted for artillery, but also flew message pick-ups and drops, laid wire, transported personnel and performed general utility, but performed superbly in the evacuation of wounded with planes modified to carry a stretcher patient. VMO-7, for example, flew out 369 wounded men in a eleven day period, in addition to flying 243 artillery missions, 35 reconnaissance flights, and 17 photo-reconnaissance chores. To spare a wounded man a ride over Okinawa's abominable roads was indeed an act of mercy.
-Altogether, IIl PhibCorps OY planes flew 2,214 sorties. Ten planes were lost, 5 of them in combat and 5 officers and 2 enlisted men were killed."
-The above facts were taken from page 414 of the History of Marine Corps Aviation in WWII by Robert Sherrod.

-The military record of our L-5/OY-1 is as follows:

-Manufactured by Vultee Aircraft, Wayne MI and received by the USAAF on 27 May 1943
-Jun 1943 To Camp Beauregarf LA, Esler Field LA and Pollock Field LA
-Jul 1943 To Camp Polk LA
-Jun 1944 to 358th AAF Base Unit (3rd AF), Statesboro AAF GA
-Dec 1944 To 350th AAF Base Unit (3rd AF) De Rider AAF LA
-Feb 1945 To 384th AAF Base Unit (3rd AF) Lafayette AAF LA -Oct 1945 To 138th AAF Base Unit (Continental Air Force), Lake Charles AAF, LA
-Dec 1945 To 2621st AAF Base Unit (Air Training Command), Barsdale AAF,LA
-Feb 1946 To 62nd AAF Base Unit ( Air Transport Command), Andrews AAF,MD
-Jun 1946 To 1st AAF Base Unit (Strategic Air Command), Bolling AAF DC
-Aug 1946 Loaned to Army Ground Forces, Rome AAF NY
-Dec 1946 Returned to Bolling AAF
-Mar 1948 To 16th Maintenance Squadron (Bolling Field Command) Bolling AAF
-Jul 1948 To 1100th Maintenance and Supply Squadron (BFC), Bolling AFB
-Aug 1948 To 4141st AF Base Unit (Air Material Command), Pyote AFB TX and dropped from inventory by transfer to Coast Guard.