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Stinson L-1 Vigilant (Model 74)


Liaison / Observation / Utility Aircraft


United States | 1941



"The Stinson L-1 Vigilant provided a much-needed Short Take-Off and Landing capability for American and British forces of World War 2."

Flag of Image from the Public Domain.
Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Stinson L-1A Vigilant Liaison / Observation / Utility Aircraft.
1 x Lycoming R-680-9 radial piston engine developing 295 horsepower.
Propulsion
121 mph
195 kph | 105 kts
Max Speed
12,795 ft
3,900 m | 2 miles
Service Ceiling
280 miles
450 km | 243 nm
Operational Range
410 ft/min
125 m/min
Rate-of-Climb
Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Stinson L-1A Vigilant Liaison / Observation / Utility Aircraft.
3
(MANNED)
Crew
34.3 ft
10.44 m
O/A Length
50.9 ft
(15.50 m)
O/A Width
10.2 ft
(3.10 m)
O/A Height
2,668 lb
(1,210 kg)
Empty Weight
3,406 lb
(1,545 kg)
MTOW
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Stinson L-1 Vigilant (Model 74) family line.
L-1 "Vigilante" - Base Series Designation
Model 74 - Company model designation
YO-49 - U.S. Army evaluation designation
O-49 Vigilant - Initial production models; 142 built
O-49A Vigilant - Extended fuselages; 182 examples completed.
O-49B Vigilant - Air ambulance model; up to four converted.
L-1A Vigilant - 1942 redesignation of O-49A models
L-1B Vigilant - Redesignation of O-49B models
L-1C Vigilant - Air ambulance based on L-1A
L-1D Vigilant - Training glider tug based on L-1A
L-1E Vigilant - Amphibious Air Ambulance based on L-1
L-1F Vigilant - Amphibious Air Ambulance based on L-1A
Vigilant Mk I - RAF designation for L-1 models
Vigilant Mk II - RAF designation for L-1A models
CQ-2 Vigilant - USN target control aircraft variant
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/12/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The massive American military of World War 2 (1939-1945) fielded various "Light Observation and Liaison" aircraft during the years-long conflict. One entry became the Stinson L-1 "Vigilant" of which 324 were completed. A first-flight was had on July 15th, 1940 and service introduction arrived in 1941. The system went on to be used by both the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) and the British Royal Air Force (RAF). Design of the aircraft is attributed to A.P. Fontaine with all manufacture stemming from the Stinson Aircraft Corporation.

Observation and Liaison aircraft in military service provide improved communication for ground forces by giving a much-needed "eye in the sky". These aircraft are typically constructed as light as possible with few creature comforts for the crew and allow for basic performance while being very rarely armed. A high-wing monoplane fit is also typical as this generates inherent lift and allows the already light aircraft to loiter on station for longer periods of time when compared to traditional aircraft. It also allows these aircraft to operate from short, little-prepared airfields or rough terrain. A Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) feature became common to such aircraft.

Prompted by the impressive showing of a German Fieseler "Storch" liaison aircraft at the Cleveland Air Races, the USAAC pushed forth a requirement in 1938 for a similar-minded aircraft. Nearly a dozen concerns threw their hats into the ring but Stinson was able to convince USAAC authorities of the merits of their proposed lightweight platform. The aircraft became known internally as the "Model 74" and carried the usual traits - a high-wing monoplane, fixed undercarriage, limited internal space, a nose-mounted engine, and traditionally-arranged tail unit. Internally, the aircraft's construction was largely of steel tubing while its skin consisted of fabric and some light metal.

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The prototype was taken on by the Army for evaluation as the "YO-49" and managed a first-flight on July 15th, 1940 (American had yet to officially enter the war). Power was from a Lycoming engine which drove a two-bladed constant speed propeller at the nose. Satisfied with their new little aeroplane, the YO-49 graduated into the O-49 "Vigilant" through a 142-strong initial production batch. Then followed 182 examples of the O-49A standard which brought along an increased (13 inches) fuselage. The O-49B was a modified air ambulance with fewer than five converted for the role.

In 1942, the line was redesignated under the more familiar "L-1". The L-1 was the original O-49 while the O-49A and O-49B became the L-1A and L-1B respectively. The L-1C were additional air ambulance types modified from the L-1A stock and 113 conversions to this standard followed. The L-1D became a training glider tug (mothership) aircraft and as many as twenty were converted for the role. The L-1E became another air ambulance (based on the L-1 form) but these were given special equipment to operate as amphibians for water rescues. Seven conversions followed. The L-1F was similar and built up from the L-1A production stock - five conversions were seen. CQ-2 marked L-1A conversions by the United States Navy (USN) for service as target control aircraft. Few were procured.

Under Lend-Lease, the Vigilant was adopted by the RAF and arrived in the Vigilant Mk I (L-1) and Vigilant Mk II (L-1A) offerings.

Beyond its typical over-battlefield roles, the L-1 was pressed into other non-direct-combat roles - artillery spotting, light transport, special forces/mission support. Many saw modification in-the-field to fulfill even more non-official roles as needed. The series saw wartime service until the end of the conflict in 1945 and soldiered on for a time longer. Before the cessation of hostilities, the L-1 was already being challenged by entries from Piper (L-4 "Grasshopper") and by Stinson's own L-5 "Sentinel".

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Stinson L-1 Vigilant (Model 74). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 324 Units
Contractor(s): Stinson - USA
National flag of the United Kingdom National flag of the United States

[ United Kingdom; United States ]
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Image of the Stinson L-1 Vigilant (Model 74)
Image from the Public Domain.

Going Further...
The Stinson L-1 Vigilant (Model 74) Liaison / Observation / Utility Aircraft appears in the following collections:
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