Unknown fuselage at Dillingham Airfield, Oahu, Hawaii

In terms of historic interest the question is whether its a former military L-17…and who made it. Navions are so common I doubt anyone (other than a dedicated tail spotter) is likely to have a cn or N number. Unlike its “big brother” the Mustang (I’ve heard it was made on the former P-51 lines and used some Mustang parts) they were so common few kept track of them.

North American made 83 L-17As in 47-48 and Ryan made 158 more funded in 1948. They were used in Korea as liaison aircraft.
North American designed the plane anticipating the post war general aviation boom in the U.S. but couldn’t make a profit (in party because larger companies have higher overhead…the same reason Douglas, Grumman and Lockheed scrapped their light aircraft designs and Republic lost money on the Seebee) and sold the design to Ryan.

All told NA produced 1029 aircraft, Ryan made another 1424. Later firms redesigned the fuselage to have regular doors and produced almost another 200 aircraft.

Thansk for the replies folks, now the million dollar question – whats the serial/registration/tail number??

Abandoned Navions seem to have replaced wingless Ercoupes as the usually seen airport derelict.
Seebees used to be popular too, but they seem to have found favour again with restorers.
Also, there are plenty of (expensive to maintain) twins out there…Apaches, early 310s and Beech 18s needing homes.

..yes indeed! I still see some nice aluminum there!! I’ll take it into my back yard along with the step for the kids!! -)

Looking rather sad but at least it’s in a nice sling. Someone cared at least.

North American (later Ryan) Navion.