Stinson Vigilant

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Vigilant
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.

Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational service 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Specifications (L-1A) 6 References 7 External links 8 Related content

[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

•  United Kingdom
  • Royal Air Force
•  United States
  • United States Army Air Corps

[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

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). London: Orbis Publishing.

[edit] External links

[edit] Related content

 

 

 

Related lists

• List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force
• List of military aircraft of the United States