Another rare liaison aircraft brought to you by Aerothentic

Unnamed L-5A Stinson Serial # 42-99451

25th Liaison Squadron

71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group

Fifth Air Force

 

An L-5A appears over the back blocks of Port Moresby. In the background can be seen Mt Lawes, and behind in turn are the foothills of the Owen Stanley Ranges.

The 25th Liaison Squadron appeared relatively late in the SWPA, the advnace contingent arriving in New Guinea in December 1943. With them they brought these L-5 liaison aircraft, and soon they were performing a myriad of tasks including the rescue of aircrews and evacuating casualties. They called themselves 'Guinea Short Lines', whilst others sometimes called them 'The Flying Sergeants', as the pilots were all non-commissioned officers.

The first one was lost when it crashed on 13th January 1944 in poor weather near Kissanga in the New Guinea highlands flown by Sgt William Adair.

Many of these small aircraft bore noseart, with names such as TERMITE, MISS BEVERLY II, JUG HAID, GAYLE ANN, DRIP III and 1/2 CONNECTICUT YANKEE.

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