WWII pilot goes for a ride in HIS OY-1 (L-5)

[Warbirdnerd]

Seven decades after flying the Convair-built OY-1 Sentinal (the Naval version of the Stinson L-5) over Iwo Jima, 91-year-old veteran Mert P. Hansen got another ride in his exact WWII aircraft thanks to a unique twist of fate, as well as one man’s commitment to restoring the warbird.

While bringing the aircraft back to life, restorer Duncan Cameron came across flight logs that led him to Hansen, one of the few surviving veterans that flew the OY-1 during the war.

In a testament to Hansen’s service, Cameron vowed to restore the aircraft within three years in an attempt to give Hansen one more flight in the bird that took him into so many missions 70 years ago.

Many hours later, Hansen got to make that ride. Check out his reaction in the video below.

The story and a video can be found here:
http://www.flyingmag.com/pilots-places/ ... ii-warbird

[bdk]

Great story! Thanks for posting this.

[Adam Kline]

Big L bird fan here. That was nice.

[RyanShort1]

I can't say I've taken up a veteran in HIS L-5, but I know in general exactly how that feels. It's awesome.

Ryan

[planenutti]

What better way to explain to someone what it is that some of us get to do.
Bob
Old Dominion Squadron/CAF

[L-4Pilot]

Great story, thanks for sharing.

[CoastieJohn]

Great story!