Stinson L-13 Explained

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.

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]

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 Air Force
• United States Army received 43 ex-Air Force L-13As following the outbreak of the Korean War, serving in the Continental United States to free up aircraft for active service overseas.^[8]

Surviving aircraft

Brazil

• 47-406 – L-13 on display at the TAM Museum in São Carlos, São Paulo.^[9]

United States

• 47-275 – L-13A on display at the Arkansas Air and Military Museum in Fayetteville, Arkansas.^{[10] [11]}
• 47-287 – L-13A in storage at the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California.^{[12] [13]}
• 47-316 – L-13A airworthy at the War Eagles Air Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.^{[14] [15]}
• 47-355 – L-13 on static display at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii.^{[16] [17]}
• 47-394 – L-13A on static display at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California.^{[18] [19]}
• 47-412 – L-13B airworthy at the Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington, Washington.^{[20] [21]}

References

Bibliography

• "Convair Conversion." Flight, 9 September 1955, p. 466.
• "Plane With Folding Wings Can Be Towed Like A Glider" , March 1947, Popular Mechanics rare photos of L-13 folded for towing by jeep
• Davisson . Budd . Convair L-13: The Box It Came In . Air Progress . August 1990 . 4 December 2022.
• Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife, 1990. .
• Swanborough, F.G. and Bowers, Peter M. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London:Putnam, 1963.
• Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1961–62. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd., 1961.
• Wegg, John. General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors. London:Putnam, 1990. .

Notes and References

1. Web site: History's Unique Aircraft: The large, slow-moving shadow of the Convair L-13. Jason McDowell. 29 November 2022. Flying/Daily Newsletter. 5 December 2022.
2. Wegg 1990, pp. 180-181.
3. Wegg 1990, p.180.
4. Harding 1990, p.92.
5. Swanborough and Bowers 1963, p.489.
6. Flight 9 September 1955, p. 466.
7. Taylor 1961, p. 316.
8. Harding 1990, pp. 91-92.
9. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Convair L-13, s/n 47-0406 USAF, c/n 286, c/r N4236K. Aerial Visuals. 4 December 2022.
10. Web site: Aircraft. Arkansas Air and Military Museum. 4 December 2022.
11. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Convair L-13A, s/n 47-0275 USAAF, c/r N275LG. Aerial Visuals. 4 December 2022.
12. Web site: Aircraft on Loan (by Location). National Museum of the United States Air Force. 4 December 2022. April 2016.
13. Web site: Baugher. Joe. 1946-1948 USAAF-USAF Serial Numbers. Joe Baugher's Home Page. 4 December 2022. 30 June 2021.
14. Web site: L-13. War Eagles Air Museum. 4 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220519180540/http://www.war-eagles-air-museum.com/exhibit.php?id=30. 19 May 2022.
15. Web site: FAA Registry [N316LG]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 4 December 2022.
16. Web site: Stinson L-13 Grasshopper. Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. 4 December 2022.
17. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Convair L-13, s/n 47-0355 USAF, c/r N2536B. Aerial Visuals. 4 December 2022.
18. Web site: Stinson L-13A 'Grasshopper'. Planes of Fame Air Museum. 4 December 2022.
19. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Convair L-13A, s/n 47-0394 USAAF. Aerial Visuals. 4 December 2022.
20. Web site: L-13 Grasshopper . Heritage Flight Museum. 4 December 2022.
21. Web site: FAA Registry [N7412]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 4 December 2022.

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