North American
L-17
Navion
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Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)

Dayton, Ohio
American military services used the L-17 from the late 1940s through the early 1960s for liaison, reconnaissance, light cargo carrying and forward air control (FAC) missions. Six even became target drones. Designed for civilian aviation and first flown in 1946, it was introduced commercially as the NA-154 Navion. The U.S. Army Air Forces ordered 83 military versions under the designation L-17A.

Ryan Aeronautical Co., having bought the design and manufacturing rights from North American, built 164 improved L-17B Navions for the U.S. Air Force. Navion production ended in 1949. Later, 35 L-17As were converted to L-17Cs with improved brakes and greater fuel capacity. During the Korean War, some USAF L-17Cs were pressed into service for a short time as FAC aircraft.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span: 33 ft. 5 in.
Length:  27 ft. 4 in.
Height:  8 ft. 7 in.
Empty Weight:  

Gross Weight:  2,950 lbs. loaded
Crew:
Maximum speed: 163 mph
Cruising speed: 700 miles
Range:
Service ceiling: 11,000 ft.
Engines: Continental O-470-7 of 185 hp
   
SOURCE: National Museum of the United States Air Force  
   
Photo: Robert Deering 10/28/2016
Dallas Executive Airport (RBD)
Dallas, Texas