Paul Draper's Stinson L-5E Sentinel "Gracie"

Paul Draper is the owner and operator of this magnificent Stinson L-5E Sentinel "Gracie", based at Ypsilanti, Michigan, and is available for airshows, flybys and film.

The USA light aircraft L-5 Sentinel began life as the pre-war Stinson model 105. The model 105 was nicknamed the "Voyager", built by the Stinson division of Consolidated Vultee. When the war broke out, the "Voyager" was redesigned and then entered into service as a liaison aircraft. It also flew in the artillery spotter role and as an air ambulance. The later model L-5s had their fuselages modified to accommodate one litter.

The L-5 was manufactured between October 1942 and September 1945, during which time a total of 3,590 of these unarmed, two-seat aircraft were built for the United States armed forces, making it the second most widely used light observation aircraft of the war. Personnel in all service branches commonly referred to it as the "Flying Jeep".

The L-5 was primarily constructed from steel tubing and plywood and was covered with doped cotton fabric.

Capable of operating from forward unimproved airstrips, the L-5 "Sentinel" delivered information and needed supplies to the front line troops. On the return trip, she would evacuate the badly wounded soldiers to rear area field hospitals for medical attention.

Five versions were produced for the U.S. Army Air Force; the L-5, L-5B, L-5C, L-5E and L-5G. There was no L-5A variant as is often reported. The L-5 carried a pilot and observer in a tandem seating configuration. The L-5B through L-5G models were modified to carry a litter patient or light cargo, or a rear seat passenger sitting in the normal position. The Navy and Marine versions of the airplane were the OY-1 and OY-2. The latter differed from all others in that it had a 24 volt electrical system instead of the standard 12 volts. The British procured 40 L-5s, known as Sentinel Is, and 60 L-5Bs known as Sentinel IIs.

The United States Army Air Force used this aircraft in the European, Pacific, and Far East theaters during World War II, and in Korea during the Korean War.

The Philippine Army Air Corps used this aircraft from 1945 to 1947. This aircraft remained in service after 1 July 1947 when the PAAC was renamed the Philippine Air Force.

After World War II, the L-5 was widely used by the Civil Air Patrol for search and rescue work. Today there are about 300 known examples left world wide and less than half are in flying condition. A group called the Sentinel Owners and Pilots Association www.sentinelclub.org is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of this aircraft type.

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