The Stinson L-5 is typical of the type of aircraft developed during WWII for duties such as liaison, artillery spotting, photo-reconnaissance and casualty evacuation. Rugged and dependable, the design is a true 'work horse', showing little to no concern for aesthetics and equipped with no unnecessary embellishments. It simply does what it says on the tin.
The L-5 was dubbed 'The Flying Jeep' and, along with the Stinson L-1 Vigilant, was the only other American liaison aircraft of WWII that was purpose-built for military use. Other types were used, of course, but they tended to be converted from existing commercial designs such as the Piper Cub.
Nearly all Perspex, the cockpit area affords excellent visibility in all directions and the large door windows fold down to give uninterrupted viewing below. The design was created to be multi-functional and versions of the L-5 were produced to operate as air ambulances and carry small amounts of freight, munitions and other cargo. Its primary use was as a front-line liaison aircraft and artillery spotter.
The L-5's supreme ability to get into small, remote areas earned it great respect from the generals and troops alike, and L-5s dropped much needed medical supplies, munitions, food and other provisions to hard-pressed troops in remote areas. L-5s were also used to guide fighter-bombers to their targets by radio communication and flare drops.
Seeing service in WWII and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, to name but three, Sentinels have flown across deserts, operated from dense jungle airstrips and in freezing conditions of snow and ice. Wherever they were operating, pilots could depend on an aircraft that would always get them through, and any pilot that flew the L-5 came away with a new-found respect for this little 'can do' aeroplane.
Today, many Sentinels have found their way into private hands and provide an inexpensive entry into the world of warbird ownership. They make excellent glider tugs and as simple, rugged sports aircraft are a source of pure fun in today's high tech aviation world.
Aeroplane Heaven's Stinson L5 comes in seven liveries and has been built from factory engineering drawings and is highly detailed down to individual rivets and fabric effects.
The highly realistic pilot and observer are fully animated and other unique animations include aileron droop. A removable engine cover reveals a detailed Lycoming engine and the animated doors and drop-down Perspex windows reveal a fully detailed interior with all controls and fittings. Weather covers and pre-flights are included.
MODEL
Built over the best plans available and from factory engineering drawings
Highly detailed down to individual rivets and fabric effects
Many unique animations including aileron droop
Fully animated, highly realistic pilot and observer
Removable engine cover reveals the detailed Lycoming engine
Animated doors and drop-down Perspex windows
Fully detailed interior visible with all controls and fittings
Weather covers and pre-flights included
COCKPIT
Highly realistic rendition of a WWII period Stinson cockpit
Unique 'shake' on airframe at engine start and idle
Unique needle tremble on engine start and low speed idle
Realistic engine start procedure with prop stutter
'Cold and Dark start function using switch
Specially animated aileron droop function in combination with flaps
Wear and tear, dust and scratches throughout cockpit
Working rear observer’s controls
All wires and pulleys for control surfaces are animated
Full period radio suite
Animated doors and windows
TEXTURES
Highly detailed High Definition texture set with weather and wear effects
Pro quality Paint Kit available to download here (216MB)
FLIGHT DYNAMICS
Authentic flight dynamics built using factory data and contemporary pilot records
LIVERIES
The Stinson L-5 Sentinel is supplied in the following seven liveries:
'Dangerous Liaison' - Serial No. 4268591
US Coast Guard OY-1 - Serial No. 98168
US Marines VMO6 - Serial No. 03968 'WB'
Swiss Air Force A-96 - this machine was force-landed near Porrentruy by its pilot, 2nd Lt Roy G. Abbot in late 1944 and was later repaired and used by the Swiss Air Force
US Army machine - Serial No. 42 98989. Stinson L-5s played a key role in the Normandy D-Day landings in 1944 and later. Black and white Invasion stripes were painted on all Allied aircraft so that ground forces would not confuse them with enemy aircraft.
KJ420 of the Malaya Command Flight, 1945 - the RAF South East Asia Command operated Stinsons during WWII.
The United States Air Force re-designated all of its L-5 Sentinels in 1962. The new designation was U-19A. This example, serial No. 4298633 is from that period.
MANUAL
An illustrated colour cockpit guide with flying notes is included.
I have to say that this is a really nice add on.
Very similar to a Pipe Cub but not quite the same.
There are loads of details to enjoy and it handles like a bush plane should. Great for short hops and site seeing. Just stick and rudder here nothing fancy, but a lot of character.
Sehr detaillierte Maschine, richtiges "Bijou"! Die allermeisten Schalter, Knöpfe und Regler lassen sich bedienen. Angenehme Flugeigenschaften. Das "Pitot Heat" fand ich nicht, braucht der Motorflieger wohl gar nicht. Gerne rolle ich ihn ab und zu aus der Fliegerhalle, bevorzuge sonst turbinenbetriebene Flugzeuge (DHC3, PC6 Porter, Militärjets).
Airplane very detailled, very nice! The most toggles and buttons are fonctionally - very good. Very good to fly. "Pitot heat" I have not found, he don't need perhaps. I use the Stinson now and then. I prefer normally jet-engine aircrafts like DHC3, PC6 Porter, militarjets).