Military Light Aircraft

Military light fixed wing aircraft provide ground commanders with a utility air capability for observation, rapid personnel transport, and high priority delivery services. These capacities are organic to U.S. Army or Marine Corps units and do not require inter-service coordination with the USAF. Small planes continue to be useful to the modern military almost 100 years from the time they were introduced.

10th Military Airlift Squadron C-23A Sherpa over the Rhine River valley, Germany, 18 July 1988
10th Military Airlift Squadron C-23A Sherpa over the Rhine River valley, Germany, 18 July 1988.

Today in WW II: 6 Jul 1939 All remaining Jewish enterprises in Germany are closed by the Nazis.  More 
6 Jul 1942 Anne Frank's Jewish family goes into hiding in an attic above her father's office in an Amsterdam warehouse.
6 Jul 1942 Flying Tigers in Burma and China integrated into the US Army Air Forces as the China Air Task Force with Gen. Claire Chennault commanding the new unit.
6 Jul 1943 US and Japanese naval forces fight the Battle of Kula Gulf off Kolombangara, in the New Georgia Islands group of the Solomon Islands.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Chart of Military Light Aircraft

In this chart of military light aircraft, click on the photo link to go to the page of photos and information for the specific plane. See also: Chart of Helicopters

Aircraft Description Photo Link
Gliders Military Cargo Gliders Military Cargo Gliders
O-47 North American Aviation O-47 North American Aviation O-47
O-52 Curtiss O-52 Owl Curtiss O-52 Owl
L-1 Stinson L-1 Vigilant Stinson L-1 Vigilant
L-2M Taylorcraft L-2M Grasshopper Taylorcraft L-2M Grasshopper
L-3 Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper
L-4 Piper L-4 Grasshopper Piper L-4 Grasshopper
L-5 Stinson L-5 Sentinel Stinson L-5 Sentinel
L-21 Piper L-21 Super Cub Piper L-21 Super Cub
OV-1 Grumman OV-1 Mohawk Grumman OV-1 Mohawk
CV-2
C-7
CV-2 / C-7 Caribou CV-2 / C-7 Caribou
C-12 C-12 Huron  
C-23 C-23 Sherpa C-23 Sherpa
C-26 C-26 Metroliner  
V-22 Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey

Recommended Book about WW II Liason Aircraft