DISCONTINUED MPM 72503 Vultee/Stinson L-1/Vigiland

The Stinson L-1 Vigilant (another designation: O-49 Vigilant) was an American light observation and liaison aircraft from the Second World War. The drive was provided by a single Lycoming R-680-9 engine with 295 HP. The first flight of this machine took place in 1940. In 1940-1941, serial production began, which led to the creation of about 320 aircraft of this type. The machine did not have a permanent on-board armament.

The L-1 Vigilant was developed at Stinson Aircraft Corporation, which was acquired by the Vultee aviation company in 1940. The machine was developed in response to an order from the US Air Force in 1938 for a new observation and liaison aircraft with parameters and capabilities as close as possible to the German Fieseler Fi 156 Storch. The L-1 Vigilant aircraft was characterized by a relatively simple, but solid construction. It had a fixed undercarriage and was designed in the high wing configuration. Several development versions were created in the course of serial production, for example: L-1C (sanitary aircraft), L-1D (aircraft intended for towing gliders) or Vigilant Mk. I and Mk.II (versions intended for the RAF). The Stinson L-1 Vigilant aircraft were used during World War II, primarily in the period 1944-1945 in the skies of France and today's Germany.