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The L-17
was used by the military services from the late
1940s through the early 1960s for liaison,
reconnaissance, personnel and light cargo
carrying mission. It was originally
designed for civilian use by North American
Aviation Inc. First flown in April 1946, it was
introduced later that year as the NA-154 Navion.
The Army Air Forces ordered 83 military versions
under the designation L-17A.
In the summer of 1947, the Ryan Aeronautical Co.
acquired the design and manufacturing rights
from North American. Shortly thereafter,
the Air Force ordered 158 improved Navions from
Ryan as L-17Bs, the first of which was delivered
in November 1948. Five more were purchased in
1949, and by February of that year, regular
production ended. Later, 35 L-17As were
converted to L-17Cs with improved brakes and
more fuel capacity. All L-17s were
redesignated U-18s in 1962. |
