First Composite Group Association
To Preserve The Past
For The Future
For The Future
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1947 Stinson L-9
In 1915, aviator Edward "Eddie" Stinson established the Stinson School for
Aviation. After the United States' entry
into World War I, the Stinson family trained
U.S. Army and Canadian pilots at San
Antonio's Kelly Field, earning Eddie an Army
lieutenant's commission. By 1920, the
Stinson Aircraft Company was founded in
Dayton, Ohio. In 1925,
Stinson would make Detroit, Michigan, the
base of operations for his company. Over the
next three decades, more than 13,000
aircraft would carry the Stinson name. Eddie
Stinson did not live to enjoy the success of
his company. He died in an air crash in
Chicago on January 26, 1932. At the time of his death at age
38, Stinson had acquired more than 16,000
hours of flight time which was more than any other
pilot to date.
In 1939, the Model 105 Voyager was manufactured for civilian use. It was a three-passenger airplane featuring a strut-braced wing mounted on the top of the fuselage and capable of flying at about 120 miles per hour. Stinson sold about 530 Voyagers before World War II intervened and the Stinson aircraft line was adapted for an important mission. The 105 Voyager became the U.S. Army's L-5 Sentinel. Classified "L" for Liaison, it remains one of the most used, and least recognized, U.S. aircraft of the Second World War. In 1941, the Model 108 Voyager was built with an extra seat to accommodate additional passengers or more payload. A few pre-war 108 Voyagers were commandeered for wartime use and designated the AT-19/L-9. Serving as a short field takeoff and landing liaison aircraft, the L-5 and L-9 supported missions such as artillery spotting, medical evacuation, aerial reconnaissance, and passenger transport. Stinson delivered more than 3,590 of the versatile Sentinels between 1942 and 1945 under a variety of designations. General George S. Patton Jr. was an avid pilot, and purchased his own L-9, which he used to scout the location of the Desert Training Center.
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps received 458 Sentinels transferred from the Army, designating their models as the OY-1 and OY-2, while two versions went to the British Royal Air Force as the Sentinel Mk. I and Sentinel Mk. II. After the war, most Sentinels were sold for surplus, but a number of aircraft (now designated the U-19) served in the Korean conflict. A few Sentinels remained in active military service until the late 1950s.
In 1939, the Model 105 Voyager was manufactured for civilian use. It was a three-passenger airplane featuring a strut-braced wing mounted on the top of the fuselage and capable of flying at about 120 miles per hour. Stinson sold about 530 Voyagers before World War II intervened and the Stinson aircraft line was adapted for an important mission. The 105 Voyager became the U.S. Army's L-5 Sentinel. Classified "L" for Liaison, it remains one of the most used, and least recognized, U.S. aircraft of the Second World War. In 1941, the Model 108 Voyager was built with an extra seat to accommodate additional passengers or more payload. A few pre-war 108 Voyagers were commandeered for wartime use and designated the AT-19/L-9. Serving as a short field takeoff and landing liaison aircraft, the L-5 and L-9 supported missions such as artillery spotting, medical evacuation, aerial reconnaissance, and passenger transport. Stinson delivered more than 3,590 of the versatile Sentinels between 1942 and 1945 under a variety of designations. General George S. Patton Jr. was an avid pilot, and purchased his own L-9, which he used to scout the location of the Desert Training Center.
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps received 458 Sentinels transferred from the Army, designating their models as the OY-1 and OY-2, while two versions went to the British Royal Air Force as the Sentinel Mk. I and Sentinel Mk. II. After the war, most Sentinels were sold for surplus, but a number of aircraft (now designated the U-19) served in the Korean conflict. A few Sentinels remained in active military service until the late 1950s.
In 1987, FCGA Founder/CEO Colonel Paul Kiener, U.S. Army National Guard (retired), purchased a 1947 Stinson Voyager 108-2. Several years later, he converted the civilian aircraft to a U.S. Army L-9 Sentinel. Following is the Stinson project by Col. Kiener and FCGA members. The Stinson is still privately owned by Col. Kiener, and is loaned to the FCGA for public events and air shows.