<hi style=afpcap>In 1957 the Air Force selected the Cessna 310 for utility duty with the designation L-27A. A total of 160 were eventually ordered, with the designation changing to U-3A. These were obtained during 1957 and 1958 with the name Blue Canoe being assigned. In 1960 the Air Force ordered 35 U-3Bs which differed from the A model with the tail being swept backwards, additional cabin windows being fitted, and the nose being slightly lengthened. </hi>