The Stinson L-5 was the only purpose-built L-bird and the second most widely used liaison aircraft in WWII. It was rugged and powerful. The L-5 was called the Flying Jeep as it could perform many of the same duties.
The Aeronca L-3 joined similar Grasshopper-types in spotting, directing artillery fire, transport, short-range reconnaissance, and training. Some served in North Africa for the Free French Forces.
The Taylorcraft L-2 was an observation and reconnaissance aircraft built for U.S. Army Ground and Air Forces in WWII. L-2s were powered by a 65-horsepower engines and served stateside for training operations.
Box Seat Over Hell: The true story of America’s Liaison Pilots and their light planes in World War Two is the story of courageous men and their romance with the sky… of men who flew in combat, armed only with a pistol, and engaged the enemy in aircraft made of tubing, wires and fabric. Box…
The mission of Alamo Liaison Group at conception was twofold: 1) to locate, purchase, restore and maintain in original flying condition, a complete set of military liaison aircraft flown during World War II and 2) to provide a facility for the permanent protection, display and operation of these aircraft. Today, Alamo Liaison Squadron (ALS), a…
Gene Jenson, squadron leader, sent out the following message, “We have two requested opportunities to do fly-byes on Veterans Day. I hope that we can fully respond (weather permitting) to both of these. Navarro High School (Seguin, TX) at 9:30 am that will entail a takeoff time of NLT 8:45 am and return to Cannon…
Alamo Liaison Squadron member Chris Hiatt flies an Army Ranger friend Drew Walker in the squadron’s Aeronca L-3. Watch the video.
One of the central themes of EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2020 was slated to be a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. AirVenture may have been canceled this year in light of unprecedented world events, but that doesn’t mean we won’t pause and reflect on the valor and the sacrifice…
The most substantial, and certainly most exceptional, among L-birds was the Stinson L-1 Vigilant. The L-1 derived from Stinson Aircraft Corporation’s Model 74. It was identified by the military as O-49, originally classified as an Observation aircraft. The L-1 was a rarity, due in part to the onerous task of keeping it flying. Its restoration…
Alamo Liaison Squadron (ALS) has once again completed an ensemble of L-birds with the recent acquisition of an Aeronca L-3. Based at Cannon Field in San Antonio, Texas—also known as Military City USA—ALS is home to the only collection of actively flying light World War II liaison aircraft which includes L-2, L-3, L-4, L-5 and…
Called to action, a benevolent pilot in an L-bird replica (Legend Cub) performs candy bomber duties at the Alamo Liaison Squadron Annual Picnic to the delight of children at Cannon Field. Your support of Alamo Liaison Squadron ensures continued participation in events like these.
Not all warbirds had huge engines and breathed fire from multiple gunports. Some were designed to serve ground troops in a manner no other airplane could muster. Enter the Grasshopper. Excerpted from Flightjournal.com, December 2017, by James Busha. In the summer of 1941, with a world war knocking at America’s door, the U.S. Army was…
Scenes from an Independence day flyover at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Your support of Alamo Liaison Squadron ensures continued participation in events like these.