| L-15 Scout | |
|---|---|
 US Fish & Wildlife Service YL-15 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Liaison |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | US Army |
| Number built | 12 |
| History | |
| First flight | 13 July 1947 |
TheBoeing L-15 Scout or YL-15 is a small,piston engineliaison aircraft built byBoeing in small numbers afterWorld War II. It was a short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft powered by a 125 hp (93 kW)Lycoming engine. The L-15 was intended to expand Boeing's 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 theUnited States Army for testing, then were transferred to theUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service inAlaska for various duties.
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]
Data from Boeing Aircraft since 1916[4]
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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