Stinson L5 I-AEEX

The Stinson L-5 Sentinel is a single-engine, high-wing aircraft produced by the U.S. Stinson Aircraft Corporation during World War II, employed in the conflict by the U.S. Army with air liaison and reconnaissance functions.

It is a simple and robust aircraft with two tandem seats and a mixed metal-wood-frame structure, suitable for operating on short, unprepared runways. After the war, a few dozen L5s were used until 1953 for basic training at the Air Force Schools; the last examples, which had been scrapped by the Air Force, were given to the Aeroclub d’Italia. Even today, after nearly 80 years of history, the Stinson L5 is still considered one of the best airplanes to perform the tough task of towing gliders, due to its great maneuverability and robustness combined with considerable engine power.

I-AEEX received its civilian markings on February 1, 1955, and in the 1970s was converted by Felice Gonalba’s Experimental Gliding Section, like many other Italian L5s, to the “Super Stinson” standard by adopting the 235hp Lycoming O-540 in place of the original 190hp O-435, I-AEEX has been flying at Calcinate since 2001, when it was taken over by the Central Gliding Aeroclub of Rieti.