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: 18 Jul 1944 St. Lo taken in Normandy, France, first step in breakout from beachhead.   

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