In 1941 the United States Army Air Corps ordered four examples of the Aeronca 65 TC Defender, designated YO-58, for evaluation of its suitability as a short-range observation and liaison aircraft. It also placed similar orders with Piper and Taylorcraft. Service tests during the U.S. Army's field maneuvers of 1941 proved successful and resulted in substantial orders being placed. In April 1942, the O-58 was redesignated L-3.[1][2]
When the United States went to war after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army Air Forces adopted the L-3 for training liaison pilots, artillery observers and glider pilots. For a short period (1942-43) it was also used by Army Air Forces observation and liaison squadrons for operational training until more suitable aircraft such as the Stinson L-5 could be procured in quantity.
The main attractions of unarmed light airplanes such as the L-3 were low cost, simplicity of maintenance, a low training-hour requirement, and their ability to land and take off from suitable roads, meadows, and hastily-constructed landing strips. Liaison pilots candidates would typically undertake primary training on L-2s and L-3s before moving on to advanced operational training in the Piper L-4 or the Stinson L-5. Some L-3s were shipped to North Africa and subsequently given to the Free French Forces. At least one of those aircraft served with U.S. forces in Italy Шаблон:Citation neededand at least one other served at Normandy, as reported by the Detroit Free Press on 25 June 1944, with a photograph indicating transport of medical supplies to the advancing front-line regiments.
The TG-5 was a three-seat training glider of 1942 based upon the O-58 design. This aircraft retained the O-58's rear fuselage, wings, and tail while adding a new front fuselage in place of the engine. In all, Aeronca built 250 TG-5 gliders for the Army. The Navy received three as the LNR-1.[3]
30 L-3B delivered to Chile via Lend-Lease program in 1943, all delivered to civil aero clubs. 4 Survivors (CC-KGA at La Ligua, CC-SHA at Chile's Aviation Museum. Two examples in the hands of restorers at Tobalaba airfield, Santiago, and Los Angeles.)
Aside from 15 L-3s (2 L-3, 7 L-3B, and 6 L-3C) that remain on the US civil registry as of June 2016,[9] a number have also found their way into museums
42-7796 - O-58A airworthy with Mark A. Henry of Dickinson, Texas[10]
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