Convair L-13A   N4910V                     (c/n  47395)

                                          

                                               Towards the end of WW II the Stinson element of the Consolidated Vultee Corporation produced
                                               this ugly liaison type.  However, its heritage to the L-1 Vigilant is unmistakable.  Of the 300 delivered,
                                               several were civilianized.   The one above was at Van Nuys in the late 1950s.   Some were re-engined
                                               with Lycoming R-680 radials.  The Acme Centaur Company (sounds like something from Bugs Bunny)
                                               attempted to turn it into a true "bush" aircraft to be marketed under the name of Centaur 101.  Only a
                                               couple were completed.  Seen below is the "prototype" N4901V at Torrance in 1959.   The concept
                                               had originally been developed by Longren Aircraft Co.  The relationship between the two firms is not
                                               entirely clear.  Whatever, the radial engined variation was, if anything, even more ugly than the original
                                               and that's saying something.    Nevertheless it was an excellent STOL aircraft, fitted as it was with
                                               full leading slats.     I do not have positive identity of the military serials of either of these two machines.