1944 Stinson L-5E Sentinel

$AUD150,000

This 1944 Stinson L-5E Sentinel is a genuine World War II liaison aircraft with documented operational history in the Pacific Theatre. During the war it served with the 25th Liaison Squadron, known as the Guinea Short Lines, a unit tasked with supporting frontline operations under demanding conditions across the Pacific.

Following the end of World War II, the aircraft was released from United States military service and later registered in the Philippines, where it remained in civilian operation until 1979. It was then acquired by Malcolm Long and imported into Australia, beginning a long period of preservation-focused ownership.

The aircraft later underwent an extensive zero-time restoration, completed with careful attention to authenticity and structural integrity. This comprehensive restoration returned the aircraft to flight in 1997 and ensured the preservation of its historic character while maintaining airworthiness.

As an L-5E variant, this Sentinel represents the ambulance and cargo configuration of the type. The rear seat folds down to allow installation of a stretcher, reflecting its original wartime role in casualty evacuation and utility transport. Today the aircraft presents as a rare and well-documented example of a classic military liaison aircraft with verified wartime provenance.