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Boeing L-15 Scout

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L-15 Scout
US Fish & Wildlife Service YL-15
Role Liaison
National origin United States
Manufacturer Boeing
First flight 13 July 1947
Status Retired
Primary users US Army
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Number built 12

The Boeing L-15 Scout or YL-15 was a small, piston engine liaison aircraft built by Boeing in small numbers after World War II. It was a short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft powered by a 125 hp (93 kW) Lycoming engine. The L-15 intended by Boeing to expand its product line as World War II drew to a close, and Boeing's production of military aircraft declined. Boeing decided against marketing the L-15 as a general aviation aircraft, and the twelve 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.

Design

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The scout was a conventional geared aircraft that was also tested on ski and float gear. The unusual fuselage tapered sharply behind the pilot similar to a helicopter fuselage, with a high-mounted boom supporting the tail. The original design included a single vertical tail, but two small downward-mounted fins were used on all but the first aircraft. Spoilers were used to provide lateral control instead of ailerons, and full span trailing edge flaps were used. The rear fuselage was extensively glazed, and the tandem co-pilot could swivel their seat to the rear.

Although its maximum speed was only 112 mph (180 km/h), it was rated to be towed by another aircraft at speeds up to 160 mph (260 km/h).[1]

Surviving aircraft

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Operators

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 United States

Specifications (XL-15)

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Boeing L-15 Scout 3-view drawing

Data from Boeing Aircraft since 1916[4]

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+12 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+14 hours normal, 5+12 hours with external fuel
  • Service ceiling: 16,400 ft (5,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 628 ft/min (3.19 m/s)

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ Plane and Pilot. July 1967. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ "FAA Registry [N4770C]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved 6 March 2023.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Boeing YL-15 - Defying Physics". YouTube. 20 October 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  4. ^ Bowers 1989, pp. 374–375.

Bibliography

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  • Bowers, Peter M. Boeing Aircraft since 1916. London: Putnam, Third edition 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.
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