About one year after the Keystone Wing was formed, we were assigned an L-5 aircraft by CAF headquarters in Texas for restoration. Over the next two years, the aircraft was completely disassembled and carefully inspected. Many parts, including several wing ribs, fuselage parts, and the cargo door had to be fabricated by scratch. When work was completed in June 1989, our L-5 was in the same configuration as it was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force on June 22, 1945. The only departures from authenticity are concessions to safety and FAA requirements. The braking system has been updated, and modern communication equipment has been installed. 

The L-5 is the military version of the Stinson Voyager. Six Voyagers were purchased by the Army Air Force in 1941 for testing and evaluation as a light liaison aircraft. After successful completion of these trials, the AAF ordered 3,950 L-5's between 1942 and 1945, making it the most widely used liaison aircraft, after the Piper L-4.

The unarmed L-5, with it's short take off and landing capability, was used for evacuating wounded, delivering mail, transporting VIP's, target spotting, artillery fire control and photographic reconnaissance working near the front lines.

In the performance of their duties, L-5's were involved in many extraordinary escapades. In Europe, the mere presence of one of these liaison aircraft caused an enemy gun emplacement to cease firing. The gunners knew that if they were pinpointed by the L-5, an American artillery barrage could be accurately directed to destroy their position. 

L-5's landed in small clearings hacked from the jungles of New Guinea to rescue downed pilots and wounded soldiers, or to deliver emergency supplies, often carrying loads well in excess of their design recommendations.

When the jungles of Burma were too tall and thick to clear a landing area, L-5's actually landed on strips of pierced steel planking lashed to the tops of the trees. It's been said that it took quite some time before the trees quit swaying before wounded soldiers on stretchers could be carried to the treetops for evacuation.

The Stinson L-9   

We are also making progress on our next restoration project,  a Stinson L-9. See the work as it progresses HERE>>>

There are some links to other people and organizations that have aircraft similar to ours, including civilian variations. Stop by our links page.

Commemorative Air Force, Inc.