Stinson OY-1 Sentinel
Consolidated Vultee (Stinson) · USA · first flew 1941 · light aircraft
The OY-1 Sentinel was the US Marine Corps designation for the Stinson L-5 Sentinel, a high-wing light liaison and observation aircraft used for artillery spotting, medical evacuation, and command liaison throughout World War II.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.54 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- US Marine Corps liaison and observation monoplane
- High-wing light aircraft for artillery spotting and medevac
- Stinson Voyager-derived military liaison aircraft
High-wing monoplane with a large greenhouse cabin affording excellent visibility, conventional fixed undercarriage, a Lycoming engine, and the wide-track main gear typical of the Stinson Voyager family.
Specifications
- The Stinson OY-1 Sentinel has a length of 7.54 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.36 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 209 km/h (130 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Based on the civil Stinson Voyager, the Sentinel was adopted by the US Army as the L-5 and by the Marine Corps as the OY-1; it offered excellent low-speed handling and short-field performance suited to forward area operations in the Pacific and European theatres.
Variants
The OY-1 was the primary Marine Corps mark; the Army Air Forces operated the L-5 through L-5G variants with engine and equipment differences; a small number served as ambulance aircraft with a stretcher installation.
Where you'll see it
Served extensively with the US Marine Corps in the Pacific from 1942 onward, performing artillery fire control, casualty evacuation, and command liaison missions; the type remained in Korean War-era service.
Related aircraft
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