Bedford in Bedford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Aeronca L-3 “Grasshopper”
— National D-Day Memorial —
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, 2024
1. Aeronca L-3 “Grasshopper” Marker
Inscription.
Aeronca L-3 “Grasshopper”. . Though not used in connection with the D-Day landing in France, the restored L-3 "Grasshopper" (thus nicknamed for its similarity to the insect) displayed here does bear the variegated markings of the Allied Air Forces. Alluded to in the granite blocks topping the Overlord Arch, those markings told ground gunners the aircraft bearing them were friendly. Used during the Normandy campaign as a light observation aircraft for a range of missions including reconnaissance, surveillance, and the adjustment of artillery fire, the L-3 could carry two people at a cruising speed of 75 mph. If its canvas covering offered scant protection to those in the aircraft, the L-3’s ability to fly on as projectiles passed through it was an offsetting advantage. The three propeller blades from a C-46, the aircraft used for both troop transport and gilder deliver, are the other component in this modest, temporary acknowledgment of the Allied Air Forces on D-Day. , , Rucker Tibbs and his colleagues at the New London Airport lovingly restored the L-3, which Morton Lester of Martinsville, Virginia, donated to the Memorial. The Fantasy of Flight Museum, Polk City Florida generously donated the C-46 propeller blades.
Though not used in connection with the D-Day landing in France, the restored L-3 "Grasshopper" (thus nicknamed for its similarity to the insect) displayed here does bear the variegated markings of the Allied Air Forces. Alluded to in the granite blocks topping the Overlord Arch, those markings told ground gunners the aircraft bearing them were friendly. Used during the Normandy campaign as a light observation aircraft for a range of missions including reconnaissance, surveillance, and the adjustment of artillery fire, the L-3 could carry two people at a cruising speed of 75 mph. If its canvas covering offered scant protection to those in the aircraft, the L-3’s ability to fly on as projectiles passed through it was an offsetting advantage. The three propeller blades from a C-46, the aircraft used for both troop transport and gilder deliver, are the other component in this modest, temporary acknowledgment of the Allied Air Forces on D-Day.
Rucker Tibbs and his colleagues at the New London Airport lovingly restored the L-3, which Morton Lester of Martinsville, Virginia, donated to the Memorial. The Fantasy of Flight Museum, Polk City Florida generously donated the C-46 propeller blades.
Erected by National D-Day Memorial.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists:
Location. 37° 19.819′ N, 79° 32.138′ W. Marker is in Bedford, Virginia, in Bedford County. Memorial can be reached from Overlord Circle, 0.4 miles west of Burks Hill Road. The Marker is located within the Maurice Travis Lawhorne Circle on the grounds of the National D-Day Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford VA 24523, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. Aeronca L-3. (Submitted on February 27, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross
2. Aeronca L-3 “Grasshopper” Marker
2. National D-Day Memorial. (Submitted on February 27, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed By Brandon D Cross
3. C-46 propeller blades
Photographed By Brandon D Cross
4. Aeronca L-3 “Grasshopper”
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 49 times since then. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 27, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
