Loening OL-5
Loening Aeronautical Engineering Corporation · USA · first flew 1926 · light aircraft
The OL-5 was a further variant of the Loening OL amphibian series, continuing the family's service in the US Navy's observation squadrons through the late 1920s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.6 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Loening OL amphibian, late-1920s Navy variant
- Sesquiplane amphibian biplane observation aircraft
- Single radial engine amphibian with retractable wheel undercarriage
Identical in overall layout to all other OL variants; the Loening hull with retractable wheels, sesquiplane wings, and tractor radial engine is the family's signature.
Specifications
- The Loening OL-5 has a length of 9.6 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.7 m (45 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 198 km/h (123 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The OL-5 represented a continuation of the incremental development of the Loening amphibian; by this point in the OL series, the design was well proven and the variants tracked engine and equipment improvements.
Variants
Followed by the OL-6, OL-7, and OL-8 in the series; the OL family was eventually replaced by newer amphibian and floatplane designs as the 1930s began.
Where you'll see it
Served with US Navy and possibly Marine Corps observation units in the late 1920s; the OL family's amphibian capability made it useful for operations in areas where shore facilities were limited.
Related aircraft
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