Warbird Information Exchange

The documentary "L-bird: The Little Plane that Did" will be showing again on the Discovery Channel on Dec. 4th at either 9 or 10 pm... This is a link to a review I did of the film pre-release: http://www.lbirds.com/resources.htm

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Ryan,

I have an L-bird question for you.

In my books, I separate the landplanes from their seaplane versions as two types (as the general public that I am aiming for can't tell that they are looking at the same type of airplane). I have proof that the Stinson L-1, Piper L-4, and Stinson L-5 were used as seaplanes well before 1955 (when the coverage for my books ends). Thus, if I had any pictures in my collection (I only use pictures that I have taken myself in my books), I could use these types as separate floatplane versions. Unfortunately, I don't.

I do however, have a nice air-to-air photo session that I have recently done of a civilianized Interstate L-6 on floats that I have not been able to use. This is because I have been unable to find any early photo documentation that the L-6 was ever used as a floatplane (before or after it's military service but) before the end of 1955. I would not include any documentation on the Arctic Tern as viable, as the type is only roughly based on the L-6. Do you (in your records) have this documentation? I would also like to find any pictures of an Taylorcraft L-2 or Aeronca L-3 on floats in case I come across an example so modified in the future. All I need is to see these pictures and prove to myself that the types were used as floatplanes. Thanks for any help you (or anyone else) can provide.

Eric P.

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Fly low. Fly slow, Fly safe.

As a restorer of L-6s I would find it hard to believe that they were ever on floats. Operationally they were at France Field Panama Canal Zone and I have never seen any float equipped pictures. The Tern as you say with a much larger engine is almost a different bird. Would like to be proved wrong but I doubt it. For one thing the landing gear was a weak point for wheels much less floats.

As you know the landing gear is removed for float installation. Are the fuselage attach points weak? If so, I was unaware of that. The one I'm speaking of is on amphibious floats and is based in Oregon. Are you familiar with it?

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Fly low. Fly slow, Fly safe.

Eric,

My information is regrettably not that detailed at this point. I think of myself more as an enthusiast and promoter, more than a genuine expert in the field. You might try asking that through the Liaison Forum I run - as there are some true experts there like Ken Wakefield, James Gray, etc...

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.