Pipe Creek Township in Grissom Air Force Base in Miami County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Cessna U-3A
57-5922
Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026
1. Cessna U-3A Marker
Manufacture: Cessna
Designation: U-3A
Serial Number: 57-5922
Official name: L-27A, later changed to U-3A
Nickname: Blue Canoe
Function: Light administrative liaison, cargo and utility transport.
Crew: One pilot. Up to five additional passengers.
Wingspan: 35 ft Length: 27 ft
Height: 10 ft 6 in
Power plant: 2 x Continental 0-470-B horizontally opposed piston engines, 240 hp each.
Empty weight: 2,850 lb
Max T/O weight: 4,600 lb
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft
Range: 1,000 mi
Armament: None
Number Built: 161
Year built: Our U-3A, 1957.
Year retired: April, 1972
Mission:
Popularly known in the Air Force as the "Blue Canoe," the U-3 is the military version of the Cessna 310 light twin-engine transport. The prototype made its first flight on January 3, 1953. Production for the civilian market began in 1954, and in 1957, the USAF selected the aircraft for service as a light administrative liaison, cargo and utility transport. The Air Force eventually bought 160 of the 310s "off-the-shelf" under the original designation L-27A, later changed to U-3A. Thirty-five more were delivered in 1960-61 as U-3Bs--all
this page online
Other Facts:
This airplane is one of eighteen U-3A that arrived at Grissom with the 434th Special Operations Wing in 1970. When the 434th's mission evolved into tactical fighter operations in 1973 a few of the U-3A were transferred to the US Army Reserve. The remaining fleet was flown to the Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARC), in Arizona and through the original purchase agreement with Cessna that the aircraft would never reach the civilian market, sold as scrap.
This exhibit is the property of the US Air Force and maintained. Grissom Air Museum donor program.
Erected by Grissom Air Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical date for this entry is January 3, 1953.
Location. 40° 40.205′ N, 86° 7.808′ W. Marker is in Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, in Miami County. It is in Pipe Creek Township. It is at the intersection of West Hoosier Boulevard and U.S. 31, on the right when traveling west on West Hoosier Boulevard. Touch for map.
Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026
2. Cessna U-3A Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Grumman C-1A (a few steps from this marker); Republic Aircraft F-84F (a few steps from this marker); Boeing KC-97L (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); B-58 Hustler (within shouting distance of this marker); Fairchild C-119G (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed D-21 (within shouting distance of this marker); Douglas Aircraft C-47D and C-47B (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grissom Air Force Base.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
