The Boeing L-15 Scout or YL-15 was a small, piston engine liaison aircraft built by

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in very small numbers after

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. It was a short take-off and landing ( STOL) aircraft powered by a 125 hp Lycoming engine. The L-15 was an attempt by Boeing to expand its product line as World War II drew to a close, and Boeing's production of combat aircraft declined. Boeing decided against marketing the L-15 as a general aviation aircraft, and the twelve that were produced went to the

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for testing, then were transferred to the

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for various duties.

Design

The scout was a conventional geared aircraft that was also tested on ski and float gear. The unique fuselage tapered sharply behind the pilot similar to a helicopter fuselage, with a high-mounted boom supporting the tail surfaces. The original design included a single vertical stabilizer, but two small downward-mounted stabilizers were used on production models. Spoiler-ailerons were used for roll control, and full length flaps were mounted on the trailing edge of the wings. The rear fuselage was all-window, and the tandem co-pilot could swivel the chair rearward. Although its cruise speed was only 101 mph, the aircraft was rated to be towed by another aircraft at speeds up to 160 mph.

Surviving aircraft

* 47-432 – YL-15 airworthy with Keith N. Brunquist of

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Gallery

File:Boeing YL-15 three quarter view.jpg, YL-15 N4770C File:Boeing YL-15 undercarriage.jpg, Undercarriage File:Boeing YL-15 Observer's position.jpg, Observer's seat File:Boeing YL-15 wing side.jpg, Wing File:Boeing YL-15 tail side.jpg, Tail

Operators

; *

Specifications (XL-15)

References

Notes

Bibliography

*Bowers, Peter M. ''Boeing Aircraft since 1916''. London: Putnam, Third edition 1989. .

External links

'' "Grasshopper's Eyes Widen" '', March 1947, Popular Science
article with explanation of unique features of L-15A
'' "Eye For Ground Forces Fly As Low As 50 mph" '', March 1947, Popular Mechanics
good photo of rear observer's unique position
'' "XL-15 Folds Up For A Tow" '', February 1948, Popular Science
middle of page

bottom of page shows XL-15A on floats, with specification when operated as float plane
'' "New Eyes For The Army Ground Forces" '', October 1947, Popular Science
US Army recruiting ad featuring L-15A
'' "EAA video: Boeing YL-15 – Defying Physics" ''
EAA YouTube Published Oct 20, 2017 {{USAF liaison aircraft L-15 Scout 1940s United States military reconnaissance aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft High-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1947 Twin-tail aircraft