Boeing L-15 Scout

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_L-15_Scout

The Boeing L-15 Scout or YL-15 was a small, piston engine liaison aircraft built
by Boeing in very small numbers after World War II. It was a short take-off and
landing (STOL) aircraft powered by a 125 hp Lycoming engine. The L-15 was an
attempt by Boeing to expand its product line as World War II drew to a close,
and Boeing's production of combat aircraft declined. Boeing decided against
marketing the L-15 as a general aviation aircraft, and the twelve that were
produced went to the United States Army for testing, then were transferred to
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska for various duties.

The scout was a conventional geared aircraft that was also tested on ski and
float gear. The unique fuselage tapered sharply behind the pilot similar to a
helicopter fuselage, with a high-mounted boom supporting the tail surfaces. The
original design included a single vertical stabilizer, but two small
downward-mounted stabilizers were used on production models. Spoiler-ailerons
were used for roll control, and full length flaps were mounted on the trailing
edge of the wings. The rear fuselage was all-window, and the tandem co-pilot
could swivel the chair rearward.

Although its cruise speed was only 101 mph, the aircraft was rated to be towed
by another aircraft at speeds up to 160 mph.

One airworthy example still exists, owned by the same family for over 63 years
(YL-15 EAA video)


Role
Liaison aircraft

Manufacturer
Boeing

First flight
13 July 1947

Number built
12

Specifications (XL-15)

General characteristics
Crew: Two (pilot and observer)
Length: 25 ft 3 in (7.70 m)
Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
Height: 8 ft 8 1/2 in (2.654 m)
Wing area: 269 sq ft (25.0 m2)
Empty weight: 1,509 lb (684 kg)
Gross weight: 2,050 lb (930 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-290-7 four-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed
engine, 125 hp (93 kW)

Performance
Maximum speed: 112 mph (180 km/h, 97 kn)
Cruise speed: 101 mph (163 km/h, 88 kn)
Stall speed: 35 mph (56 km/h, 30 kn)
Endurance: ?2 1/4 hours normal, ?5 1/2 hours with external fuel
Service ceiling: 16,400 ft (5,000 m)
Rate of climb: 628 ft/min (3.19 m/s)




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