Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
U-8D Seminole
The US Army began testing off-the-shelf variants of the Beach commercial twin engine aircraft in 1952, the Model D50B proving its worth in the utility transport and liaison roles. Designated the YL-23, the low wing monoplane was powered by twin Lycoming engines. Over the next thirty years, the Seminole would go through several variants, to include this one, the U-8D. Originally designated the L-23D, this aircraft is the equivalent of the commercial Beech E50 Twin Bonanza. Eighty-five new L-23Ds were built for the Army along with over 90 upgraded older models. In 1962, the L-23D was redesignated the U-8D.
The U-8 family of aircraft provided general utility transport service for over three decades and examples of different variants remained in service with the active Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard into the early 1990s.
This particular U-8D ended its operational flying career as a maintenance trainer here at Fort Eustis before coming to the museum in 1978.
Erected by US Army Transportation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Forts and Castles • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.
Location. 37° 9.853′ N, 76° 34.57′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. OH-23 Raven (a few steps from this marker); CH-21C Shawnee (a few steps from this marker); TH-55 Osage (a few steps from this marker); OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (a few steps from this marker); Cybernetic Walker (a few steps from this marker); UH-1B Iroquois (a few steps from this marker); Aviation in the Transportation Corps (a few steps from this marker); UH-1H Iroquois (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
