The First Aircraft of the Republic of Korea (Liaison Aircraft L-4)

This is a two-seat light liaison aircraft produced in the United States in the 1940s and used by the US Army during the Second World War. It is one of ten aircraft taken over from the US military on 13 September 1948 by the Army Aviation Unit, the forerunner of the Republic of Korea Air Force, and it is the first aircraft ever possessed by Korea's air force. In the early stages of the Korean War, the observer in the rear seat held bombs in his arms and dropped them on sorties, inflicting heavy damage on the enemy; the aircraft went on to carry out aerial support missions successfully in the suppression of the Yeosu–Suncheon Incident and in the operation to mop up communist guerrillas in the Jirisan Mountain area. It was afterwards assigned to the Army and used for liaison duties, transporting commanding officers, and training pilots and maintenance personnel, before being retired in 1954 with the introduction of the L-19 liaison aircraft — an aircraft that left a great mark on the history of the Republic of Korea Air Force. This National Registered Cultural Heritage is located at the Air Force Academy, and all visitors must apply in advance. Applications must be submitted online at least two weeks before the desired visiting date (phone reservations and same-day requests are not accepted; a confirmation text message is sent once a visit is approved). Visit application: https://rokaf.airforce.mil.kr/afa/1272/subview.do. Visit enquiries: Air Force Academy Public Affairs Office (tel. 043-290-6118).

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Cheongju, Chungbuk

Designation

Registered Cultural Heritage · 국가등록문화유산