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All the United States Texas San Antonio L-Bird Flying Museum

L-Bird Flying Museum

A collection of vintage liaison aircraft kept in flying condition and on display at an airfield in San Antonio.

San Antonio, Texas

Added By
Mike Taylor
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L-birds at Cannon Field.   miketaylor / Atlas Obscura User
L-birds at Cannon Field.   miketaylor / Atlas Obscura User
L-birds at Cannon Field.   miketaylor / Atlas Obscura User
L-bird Flying Museum at Cannon Field.   miketaylor / Atlas Obscura User
L-birds over San Antonio, returning from a mission.   miketaylor / Atlas Obscura User
L-bird collection at Cannon Field.   miketaylor / Atlas Obscura User
Alamo Liaison Squadron over South Texas.   ALS member
L-bird Flying Museum at Cannon Field.   miketaylor / Atlas Obscura User
Cannon Field Airport, San Antonio, Texas.   miketaylor / Atlas Obscura User
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About

A liaison aircraft, or "L-bird" as they're also known, is a small, unarmed military airplane used primarily for observation and reconnaissance or light transport. Known for their ability to take off from and land in small, unimproved fields, these planes played a generally uncelebrated but nevertheless significant role in the successes of World War II. 

Today, a collection of vintage liaison aircraft is maintained and displayed by the Alamo Liaison Squadron, as one of the only L-bird Flying Museums in the world. Located at Cannon Field in San Antonio, the planes are kept in flying condition and make occasional public appearances. The L-birds perform fly-bys at memorial services and cultural events; guest pilots are invited to fly into the "grass strip" airfield; and an annual picnic is held at the field where attendees can view flight performances and ride in the vintage aircraft.

The Alamo Liaison Squadron restores and protects these original military liaison aircraft. The organization maintains a collection Taylorcraft L-2, Aeronca L-3, Piper L-4, Stinson L-5, and Interstate L-6 flying examples at its facility. The aircraft are flown by experienced and veteran pilots who have mastered the art of flying, as they are affectionately called, “taildraggers.”

The story of L-birds and their pilots is well documented in Box Seat Over Hell: The True Story of America's Liaison Pilots and Their Light Planes in World War II, written by Alamo Liaison Squadron founder and master mechanic Hardy Cannon, who worked with a team to restore the original collection of L-birds. The book tells the story of the men who flew in combat armed only with a pistol, confronting the enemy in aircraft made of tubing, wires, and fabric. Cannon's artistry and imagination in both aircraft restoration and writing has kept the legacy of the L-birds alive.

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World War Ii Aircraft Museums Preservation Transportation Military

Know Before You Go

The L-bird Flying Museum of Alamo Liaison Squadron is located at Cannon Field on the south side of San Antonio, Texas. The airfield and museum are open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and other days by appointment. Support the museum's Hangar Door gofundme campaign at https://www.gofundme.com/lbird-flying-museum-hangar-door

Community Contributors

Added By

miketaylor

Edited By

Edward Denny

  • Edward Denny

Published

March 8, 2017

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L-Bird Flying Museum
2352 S Loop 1604 W
San Antonio, Texas
United States
29.214592, -98.549838
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