Stinson Vigilant
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| Vigilant | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 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 Corporation at Dayton, Ohio. The aircraft was operated by the United States Army Air Corps as the O-49 and later as the L-1.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Operational service
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.
[edit] 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
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (L-1A)
Data from American Warplanes of World War II[1]
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)
- Wing loading: 10.3 lb/ft² (50.4 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.0867 hp/lb (0.143 kW/kg)
[edit] References
- ^ 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.
[edit] External links
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