Grasshoppers forever!

[Clifford Bossie]

Or something to that effect.

What can I say, I like the L-4.

Here are a couple of shots from the Cannon AFB open house yesterday:







And some older ones from the past:

[Forgotten Field]

Nice photos. If you want to save your original mooring kit case from being slowly destroyed, I had a prototype reproduction made of mine by a military vehicle canvas company, and he can make more. They are expensive, and not EXACTLY correct, but nicely done.

[RyanShort1]

Just how expensive John?

Ryan

[Russ Blow]

I am kind of partial to them too. Here is what they do best.

[RyanShort1]

I had a pilot in town last week all the way from Hiroshima, Japan, to fly some tailwheel aircraft! We did a bunch of Cub flying, and we had a blast. I found out that he sometimes goes to Guam to fly (Private aircraft in Japan are rare, and fees are high) and I decided I had to get him in our L-5, which was sold post-war on Guam before returning to the States.



Ryan

[Taylor Stevenson]

Not really a true "Grasshopper", but how about some Sentinel...


EAA Photo


OSH '09


NOS Mooring Kit... I'd be interested in a couple Repros if available...


The Office...


The talkin' boxes...

Few vintage photos...




L-5F


No Smoking within 100ft... Or an artillery round.... you decide.




No fun...


Prototype...


Mascot...


Test Pilot - "You want me to do what!?"


Grasshoppers-

[mustangdriver]

L-birds rock! I got to fly an L-21B a good bit, not sure if that counts, but it was a blast.

[Forgotten Field]

They can be made on demand. Last price I had was north of $200 each. They are a lot of work.

[Taylor Stevenson]

L-birds rock! I got to fly an L-21B a good bit, not sure if that counts, but it was a blast.

100% Counts... Great airplane!

FF,
Do you make them? If so, where do you get the vintage fabric? I'll be looking for some of the mustard color canvas that went in L-5s during WWII and I can't find a source yet. I've seen all colors of canvas used in L-5s... mustard, brown, OD, and even turquoise (all from original samples). I'll let you know if/when I need a Mooring Kit.

T

[Tulio]

I had a pilot in town last week all the way from Hiroshima, Japan, to fly some tailwheel aircraft! We did a bunch of Cub flying, and we had a blast. I found out that he sometimes goes to Guam to fly (Private aircraft in Japan are rare, and fees are high) and I decided I had to get him in our L-5, which was sold post-war on Guam before returning to the States.



Ryan

I see you, Ryan... but, who is the guy on the blue shirt? He doesn't look Japanese to me

Saludos,


Tulio

[RyanShort1]

I see you, Ryan... but, who is the guy on the blue shirt? He doesn't look Japanese to me

Saludos,


Tulio

I was afraid that our awful paint scheme might cause some dyslexia here on WIX, but I didn't think it'd strike you Tulio.
FYI, I'm really close to kicking off a campaign to get the old girl repainted...

Ryan

[mustangdriver]

Taylor, thanks! And great shot of your L-5 in those pics. I was a member of the restoration team on the L-21 along with the crew chief Rob who posts here as warbirdaid. I then got to become a flightcrew meember on it. It was one of the original ones that went to Italy to serve in the Army. It is restored in it's Army markings. It also has flaps! Here is a link with a pic, scroll about half way down
http://www.fortsmithflightmasters.com/fp/fp011101.html

Ryan, The L-bird looks cool. Any ideas on a new paint scheme?

[RyanShort1]

Ryan, The L-bird looks cool. Any ideas on a new paint scheme?

Yes, we have some ideas, but if anyone finds WARTIME photos of a Stinson L-5 (not an OY version) on Guam, I would pay to see them...

Ryan

[StangStung]

Not really a true "Grasshopper", but how about some Sentinel...

Expound please...what is the definition of "true grasshopper"?

And thanks for the great L-bird pics!

[Taylor Stevenson]

Not really a true "Grasshopper", but how about some Sentinel...

Expound please...what is the definition of "true grasshopper"?

And thanks for the great L-bird pics!

Though no technical definition truly exists, "Grasshopper" generally refers to L-2's, L-3's, and L-4's... the light stuff (though they had various other names "Defender", "Cub", etc.)... They were all light adaptations of currently existing civilian aircraft. The L-5 was designed as a military aircraft from the start and is generally not included in the "Grasshopper" lineage. With 185-198 HP (depending who you talk to), increased useful load, flaps, etc. the L-5 set itself apart from the rest of the 65 HP clan. Though this may a bit of a biased analysis, I feel most would agree with the usage of the term "grasshopper".

Now if we want to debate "Warbug"...

Taylor, thanks! And great shot of your L-5 in those pics. I was a member of the restoration team on the L-21 along with the crew chief Rob who posts here as warbirdaid. I then got to become a flightcrew meember on it. It was one of the original ones that went to Italy to serve in the Army. It is restored in it's Army markings. It also has flaps! Here is a link with a pic, scroll about half way down
http://www.fortsmithflightmasters.com/fp/fp011101.html

IIRC most of the L-21s around today came back from Italy. They really are a cool option for anyone who wants a Super Cub... why not restore an L-21 as opposed to getting the boring civvy version There are usually a few projects floating around. For everyone here, this is the one Chris was involved with. Looks great!



-T