While World War II involved the use of airplanes as fighters and bombers, the United States Army Air Corps also adapted many civilian airplanes for non-combat uses.
According to the Museum:
During World War II, Grasshoppers performed a wide variety of functions throughout the world such as artillery fire direction, pilot training, glider pilot instruction, courier service and front-line liaison.
Shown below are some of the World War II liaison and utility aircraft displayed in the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Vultee L-1A Vigilant
According to the Museum:
“The L-1 liaison aircraft, originally designated as O-49, was the military version of the civilian Stinson Model 74. It marked the transition between heavier and larger observation aircraft use by the Air Corps in the 1930s and the lighter liaison ‘grasshopper’ type aircraft represented by the L-series during World War II. Between 1939 and 1941, the Air Corps ordered 142 L-1s and 182 L-1As with a 13-inch longer fuselage.”
This aircraft has a top speed of 122 mph, and a range of 280 miles.
Taylorcraft L-2M “Grasshopper”
According to the Museum:
Adapted for military use from the commercial, prewar Taylorcraft Tandem Trainer, the L-2 initially carried the designation O-57. The "L" for "liaison" replaced the "O" designation for "observation." In the summer of 1941, the L-2 Grasshopper performed its service tests during US Army maneuvers in Louisiana and Texas, where it operated in various support roles such as a light transport and courier. The L-2 was not used in combat or sent overseas during World War II, and it was only used for liaison pilot training.
This aircraft has a top speed of 92 mph, and a range of 227 miles.
Aeronca L-3B “Grasshopper”
According to the Museum:
The L-3, originally designated O-58, was the military version of the Aeronca Model 65 Defender. This high-wing, light airplane could operate from small, hastily-built flying fields. The Army ordered the first O-58s in 1941 to test the use of light aircraft for liaison and observation missions in direct support of ground forces. Between 1941 and 1943, Aeronca Aircraft Corp. of Middletown, Ohio, built more than 1,400 of these aircraft for the Army -- 875 of them were L-3Bs.
During World War II, Aeronca L-3s joined similar "Grasshoppers" in artillery fire direction, courier service, front-line liaison and pilot training. In 1942 Aeronca developed the TG-5, a training glider based on the O-58. The three-seat glider had a front fuselage replacing the engine, but retained the rear fuselage, wings and tail of the powered version. Aeronca built 250 TG-5s for the Army.
This aircraft has a top speed of 87 mph, a cruising speed of 79 mph, a range of 199 miles, and a ceiling of 7,750 feet.
Piper L-4A “Grasshopper”
According to the Museum:
The L-4A, originally designated the O-59, was the military version of the famous Piper J3 Cub. The U.S. Army Air Forces ordered the first O-59s in 1941 for tests in conjunction with its growing interest in the use of light aircraft for liaison and observation duties in direct support of ground forces. Between 1941 and 1945, the USAAF procured almost 6,000 Piper Aircraft.
This aircraft has a top speed of 85 mph, a cruising speed of 75 mph, a range of 190 miles, and a ceiling of 9,300 feet.
Stinson L-5 Sentinel
According to the Museum:
The L-5 was the military version of the commercial Stinson 105 Voyager. The U.S. Army Air Forces purchased six Voyagers in 1941 as YO-54s for testing, and quantity orders for Sentinels began in 1942. Between 1942-1945, the USAAF ordered 3,590 L-5s, making it the second most widely used USAAF liaison aircraft.
The unarmed L-5, with its short field takeoff and landing capability, was used for reconnaissance, front-line aeromedical evacuation, delivering supplies, laying communications wire, spotting enemy targets, personnel transport, rescue and even as a light bomber. In Asia and the Pacific, L-5s remained in service with the U.S. Air Force as late as 1955.
This aircraft has a top speed of 130 mph, a cruising speed of 90 mph, a range of 360 miles, and a ceiling of 15,600 feet.
Interstate L-6 “Grasshopper”
According to the Museum:
The Interstate Co. entered the aviation industry in 1940 with the S-1B "Cadet," a tandem seat liaison airplane. When the United States entered World War II, the U.S. Army Air Forces contracted with Interstate for 250 S-1B aircraft, designating the prototype as the XO-63. It was the last airplane to use the "O" (for observation) designation. Later, the USAAF designated the production airplane as the L-6.
The aircraft, however, had significant overheating problems that were only partially solved. It had the dubious distinction that fewer L-6s were built than any other USAAF liaison aircraft. The USAAF used the L-6 as a utility transport, liaison and training aircraft in the United States but never shipped it overseas.
This aircraft has a top speed of 105 mph, and a range of 540 miles.
Noorchuyn UC-64A Norseman
According to the Museum:
Manufactured by the Noorduyn Aviation Ltd., Montreal, Canada, the UC-64A was a 10-place, single-engine utility transport. First flown in 1935, the Norseman was designed for rugged Canadian bush country operations; it could be equipped with wheels, floats or skis. Before World War II, Noorduyn delivered 69 to the Royal Canadian Air Force as trainers. After service testing seven YC-64s, the U.S. Army Air Forces adopted the aircraft in 1942 as a light transport. Noorduyn produced 762 Norseman for the USAAF before the war ended. Of these, 749 were UC-64As. Noorduyn produced the last Norseman in late 1959.
Designed for and used in arctic areas, the Norseman was also employed in Europe and the Pacific during the war. On Dec. 15, 1944, a UC-64A disappeared on a flight from England to France with bandleader Maj. Glenn Miller on board. The aircraft was never found.
This aircraft has a top speed of 162 mph, a cruising speed of 148 mph, a range of 1,150 miles, and a ceiling of 17,000 feet.
Cessna UC-78B Bobcat
According to the Museum:
Dubbed the "Bamboo Bomber" by the pilots who flew them, the UC-78 was a military version of the commercial Cessna T-50 light transport. Cessna first produced the wood and tubular steel, fabric-covered T-50 in 1939 for the civilian market. In 1940 the U.S. Army Air Corps ordered them under the designation AT-8 as multi-engine advanced trainers.
Cessna built 33 AT-8s for the Air Corps and production continued under the designation AT-17 to reflect a change in equipment and engine types. In 1942 the U.S. Army Air Forces adopted the Bobcat as a light personnel transport and designated those delivered after Jan. 1, 1943, as UC-78s. By the end of World War II, Cessna produced more than 4,600 Bobcats for the USAAF, 67 of which were transferred to the U.S. Navy as JRC-1s. In addition, Cessna produced 822 Bobcats for the Royal Canadian Air Force as Crane 1s.
This aircraft has a top speed of 175 mph, a cruising speed of 150 mph, a range of 750 miles, and a ceiling of 15,000 feet.
More World War II aircraft
Air Force Museum: World War II bombers (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: World War II dive bombers (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: World War II trainers (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: World War II cargo aircraft (photo diary)
Museum of Flight: World War II American fighters (photo diary)
Planes of Fame: World War II American Fighters (Photo Diary)
Yanks Air Museum: World War II Fighters (Photo Diary)
Yanks Air Museum: World War II Bombers (Photo Diary)
