Stinson L-1
Vigilant N63230
In 1940 Vultee acquired the
Stinson Aircraft Company and developed the O-49 Observation
braced high wing monoplane. In
1942 the US Army Air Corp re-designated the "O": Observation
types into a new "L" Liaison category and the
Stinson was the first to receive such treatment,
becoming the
L-1. Most L-1s went to the UK under Lend Lease and hence
tend to be a rare
bird in civilian guise. Furthermore, extensive production was
curtailed in favor of the lighter-weight
"Grasshopper"
types being producted by Piper, Aeronca and Taylorcraft. This
particular aircraft
remained in the
US and had the USAAC serial of 40-3102. It is now part of the
Kermit Weeks
collection in Florida.