A short history of the Kunsan Cadillac from a Korean War Veteran:
“Sure, I can tell you more about the Kunsan Cadillac. It is a term used to describe a modified version of the Navion L-17 aircraft that was used by the US Air Force in the Korean War. The Kunsan Cadillac had extra fuel tanks, rockets, and bombs, allowing it to perform reconnaissance and close air support missions. The name comes from the fact that the aircraft was based at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea and that it was considered a luxury compared to other planes at the time.” 

(Note: There is no official record of an L-17 ever being armed in any way. Their use in Korea was as personnel and light cargo transport, and for a very brief time as Forward Air Control - including the very first airborne FAC mission. Credit L-17.org) 

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L-17 History

The Navion was the first civilian aircraft manufactured by North American Aviation, famous for producing legendary military aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang fighter, AT-6 Texan trainer, B-25 Mitchell bomber, and F-86 Saber Jet fighter.

The Navion was a rugged aircraft with excellent short and rough field capabilities, good range, and capacity for four people, along with reasonable cargo. Navions are a dream to fly like all North American aircraft: light on the controls and perfectly harmonized in all axis of flight.

The same qualities that made it attractive to civilian buyers caught the attention of the U.S. Army, which was looking for a "flying pickup truck" for "liaison" duties such as personnel transport and light cargo. Prohibited by the Key West Agreement from procuring fixed-wing aircraft, the Army requested the Air Force place an order for a military version of the Navion. 83 aircraft were ordered in 1947 and given the military designation L-17. Faced with demand for the F-86, North American sold the Navion design and tooling in July 1947 - along with about 60 uncompleted aircraft - to Ryan Aeronautical, famed producer of the Spirit of St. Louis as well as WW II trainers such as the PT-22 Recruit.

Ryan received an order for 158 upgraded L-17s in 1948 and a further order in 1949 for 5 more aircraft for the Hellenic (Greek) Air Force for a total of 163 aircraft. Ryan also subcontracted with Schweitzer Aircraft Company to upgrade 33 North American Aviation L-17s with Ryan features such as improved brakes, radios, and aux fuel. To track what were now 3 different types of L-17, unmodified North American Aviation aircraft were designated L-17A, new Ryan aircraft were designated L-17B, and Schwietzer-modified North American aircraft were designated L-17C. The last L-17s were 3 "Super" L-17Ds (also listed as XL-22A or XL-22D) ordered in 1951, based on the new Ryan Navion Model B. This makes for a total of 249 L-17s, with about 45 surviving today. (Credit for the history and historical photos of the Navion goes to L-17.org Preserving Navion Military Heritage)