VINTAGE FLYING MACHINES
FLYING MUSEUM
Aeronca L-3 Defender
The L-3 liaison aircraft, originally designated O-58, is the military version of an Aeronca
Model 65 Defender. This high-wing, lightweight airplane could operate from small,
hastily-built flying fields. The U.S. Army Air Forces (AAF) ordered the first O-58 aircraft
in 1941 to test the use of light aircraft for liaison and observation duties in direct support
of military ground forces. Between 1941 and 1943, Aeronca Aircraft Corporation of
Middleton, Ohio, built 1,639 examples and variants of these aircraft for the AAF, of
which 875 were L-3B models. Additional models 65-CA, 65-LB, 65-TAC, 65-TAF, 65-TC
and 65-TL were adapted for liaison use by the AAF.
During WWII, the Aeronca L-3 joined similar liaison aircraft in artillery fire direction,
courier service, front-line support 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-5 aircraft for the AAF.
Vintage Flying Machines has two L-3B aircraft that are in the queue for restoration.