1943 Taylorcraft L-2M

Detailed Description

1943 Taylorcraft L-2M / DCO-65 Grasshopper - N50417. Oshkosh 2011 - Best L Bird!

Remarks

• Boot Cowl – Fabricated
• Landing Gear Bungee Cords – New
• New Hardware throughout including engine mount & Prop Bolts – New
• Engine Mount – Rebuilt
• Engine Exhaust – Rebuilt
• Engine Overhauled – A-65 by Custom Airmotive
• Lower Longeron Tubes – Repaired / Replaced
• Part of aft vertical tube Replaced / Repaired
• Shock Cord Fairings – Fabricated
• Wing Root Fairings – Fabricated
• All exterior window trim – Fabricated
• Glare Shield – Fabricated & Covered
• Panel (Bevan) – Fabricated
• Instruments – Inspected and Repaired as required
• Leading edges of wings – Fabricated
• All Glass – NEW
• All new Fabric – Polyfiber
• Tail Brace Wires – New
• Tailwheel Tire – New
• All Fuel Lines converted to Aluminum – New
• Fuel Shutoff Valve – New
• New Altee Dodge – Header Fuel tank
• Engine Scat Hoses – New
• Engine Baffling – New
• Carburetor – Overhauled
• Magnetos – Overhauled
• Spark Plugs & Ignition Harness – New
• Gascolator – New
• Sump Valve – New
• Throttle, Carb Heat and Cabin Heat Controls – New
• Magneto Wiring – New
• Window and Door Frames – Fabricated
• All Faring’s – Fabricated
• Seat Cushions and Upholstery – New
• Shoulder Harness and Lap Belts – Military Style – New
• All Flight Control Cables – New
• Trim Tab Wood – Fabricated
• Fuel Sight Tubes - Fabricated
• Next Annual Date – August 2026
• The Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper is an American observation and liaison aircraft built by Taylorcraft for the United States Army Air Forces in World War II.
• In 1941 the United States Army Air Force ordered four Taylorcraft Model Ds with the designation YO-57. They were evaluated in the summer of 1941 during maneuvers in Louisiana and Texas where they were used for support purposes such as light transport and courier. General Innis P. Swift, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, coined the 'grasshopper' name after witnessing a bumpy landing. This led to a production order under the designation O-57 Grasshopper. In 1942 the designation was changed to L-2 Grasshopper).
• In World War II, the AAF began using the L-2 in much the same manner as the observation balloon was used in France during World War I--spotting enemy troop and supply concentrations and directing artillery fire on them. It was also used for other types of liaison and transport duties and short-range reconnaissance which required airplanes that could land and take off in minimum distances from unprepared landing strips.
• Postwar, a number of L-2s were converted for civilian use and are operated by private pilot owners in the United States as the Model DCO-65.
• Rear Seat swivels 180 degrees for rearward observation.
• Great flying Bird!
• Oshkosh 2011 – Best L Bird!
• Brokered by Maule Air Texas, Inc. –