Having interned its USAAF aircrew and repaired the battle damage to the aircraft, the Swiss impressed Stinson L-5 Sentinel 42-99186 into its air force; the aircraft then received its new A-96 serial number and the Swiss white/red neutralitymarkings. In March 1950 the Stinson was auctioned by the Swiss air force, becoming HB-TRY in the process. Nowadays the pristine Stinson L-5B Sentinel HB-TRY, formerly A-96, is based at Grenchen in northwestern Switzerland.
The back seat of HB-TRY is an exact copy of the World The spacious design of the Sentinel cockpit optimized the War II-era “office” of the aerial observer, including small aircraft’s wartime observation role, offering an almost bags to store maps. unrestricted all-around view around the aircraft. However, Stinson Sentinel HB-TRY, wearing full-color Swiss World War II-era red/white neutrality markings, returned to its home ground after a two-year-long in-depth restoration at Kaposvar (Hungary). This lightweight observation aircraft had started its operational career with the 324th Fighter Group in France during the final years of World War II. Built in March 1944 by the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation near Detroit, Michigan, this Stinson L-5B Sentinel, se-
The overall restoration of the Stinson L-5B Sentinel included an immaculate installation of original cockpit instruments. 26 JUNE 2011