In 1941, the United States Army Air Corps ordered four examples of the Aeronca 65 TC Defender, designated YO-58, for evaluation of the suitability of light aircraft for observation and liaison purposes. (It also placed similar orders with Piper and Taylorcraft Aircraft). Service tests during the US Army's annual maneuvers proved successful, and resulted in large orders being placed. In 1942, the O-58 was redesignated L-3.[1][2]
When American forces went into combat after Pearl Harbor, the Army Air Force used the L-3 in much the same manner as observation balloons were used during World War I—spotting activities and directing artillery fire. It was also used for liaison and transport duties and short-range reconnaissance which required airplanes to land and take off in short distances from unprepared landing strips. Liaison pilots would train on L-3s before moving on to front-line aircraft like the Piper L-4 or the Stinson L-5. Some L-3s were shipped to North Africa, and subsequently given to the Free French Forces in the area at the time. At least one of the aircraft served with US forces in Italy.[citation needed]And minimally one other did service in Normandy, as reported by the Detroit Free Press on 25 June 1944, with a photograph indicating transport of medical supplies to the advancing front-line regiments.
The TG-5 was a three-seat training glider of 1942 based upon the O-58 design. This aircraft retained the O-58's rear fuselage, wings, and tail while adding a new front fuselage in place of the engine. In all, Aeronca built 250 TG-5 gliders for the Army. The Navy received three as the LNR-1.[3]
1942 Aeronca Grasshopper L-3B observation and liaison aircraft, formerly of the United States Army Air Forces, now privately owned as G-BRHP in EnglandPiper TG-8 glider trainer in flight, similar in appearance to the Aeronca TG-5.
O-58 designation replaced by L-3 designation in April 1942[4]
30 L-3B delivered to Chile via Lend-Lease program in 1943, all delivered to civil aero clubs. 4 Survivors (CC-KGA at La Ligua, CC-SHA at Chile's Aviation Museum. Two examples in the hands of restorers at Tobalaba airfield, Santiago, and Los Angeles.)
Aside from 15 L-3s (2 L-3, 7 L-3B, and 6 L-3C) that remain on the US civil registry as of June 2016,[9] a number have also found their way into museums
42-7796 - O-58A airworthy with Mark A. Henry of Dickinson, Texas[10]
"Aeronca L3 (Grasshopper)". Wings of Eagles Discovery Center. Wings of Eagles Discovery Center. Archived from the original on 2016-06-29. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
Bridgeman, Leonard. "The Aeronca Grasshopper."Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London: Studio, 1946.p.203–204. ISBN1 85170 493 0.
Adcock, Al (2005). US Liaison Air in Action – Aircraft Number 195. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron Signal Publications. pp.21–24. ISBN0-89747-487-2.
Andrade, John M. (1979). U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN0-904597-22-9.
Abel, Alan (2001). Aeronca's Golden Age. Wind Canyon Books. ISBN1-891118-42-0.
Guillemette, Roger. "Aeronca L-3". US Centennial of Flight Commission. Archived from the original on 4 January 2006. Retrieved 2006-01-04.
Hagedorn, Daniel P. (1993). Central American and Caribbean Air Forces. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN0-85130-210-6.
Mondey, David (1996). The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II. London: Chancellor Press. ISBN185152-706-0.
Swanborough, F.G.; Peter M. Bowers (1963). United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam.
"Venezuela Refurbishes Her Aerial Sombrero". Air International. 5 (3): 118–124, 150. September 1973.
"Aeronca L-3 Aircraft Finder". AeroWeb: The Aviation Enthusiast Corner. City University of New York. Archived from the original on 2006-01-18. Retrieved 2006-01-04.
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