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L-2 Grasshopper
| L-2 Grasshopper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Taylorcraft L-2M N52347 | |
| Type | Observation and Liaison |
| Manufacturer | Taylorcraft |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Force |
| Developed from | Taylorcraft Model D |
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 order four Taylorcraft Model Ds with the designation YO-57. They were evaluated in the summer of 1941 during maneuvers in Louisiana and Texas where it was used for various support purposes such as a light transport and courier. Successful evaluation lead to production order under the designation O-57 Grasshopper. In 1942 the designation was changed to L-2 Grasshopper).
At the time American ground forces went into combat around the world during 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.
Variants
- YO-57
- Military version of the Taylorcraft Model D, four for evaluation with a 65hp YO-170-3, later became O-57 then L-2.
- O-57
- Production version with minor changes and a 65hp O-170-3 engine, 20 built, re-designated L-2 in 1942.
- O-57A
- O-57 with modified cabin and military radios and an observers seat that could face backwards, 336 built, re-designated L-2A
- L-2
- O-57 re-designated in 1942,a further 50 built.
- L-2A
- O-57A re-designated in 1942, a further 140 built.
- L-2B
- L-2A with modifications for artillery spotting with a 65hp Contintental A65-8 engine, 490 built.
- L-2C
- 13 Taylorcraft Model DC65 impressed into Army service.
- L-2D
- One Taylorcraft Model DL65 impressed into Army service.
- L-2E
- Two Taylorcaft Model DF65 impressed into Army service.
- L-2F
- Seven impressed Taylorcraft Model BL65s with side-by-side seating and a 65hp O-145-B1 engine, one originally designated UC-95.
- L-2G
- Two impressed Taylorcraft Model BFT65s with 65hp Franklin 4AC-150 engine.
- L-2H
- Nine impressed Taylorcraft Model BC12-65s with side-by-side seating and a 65hp Continental A65-7 engine.
- L-2J
- Five impressed Taylorcraft Model BL12-65s with side-by-side seating and a 65hp O-145-B1 engine.
- L-2K
- Four impressed Taylorcraft Model BF12-65s with side-by-side seating and a 65hp Franklin 4AC-150 engine.
- L-2L
- Single impressed Taylorcraft Model BF30 with side-by-side seating and a 50hp Franklin 4AC-150 engine.
- L-2M
- L-2A with close-fitting engine cowls and wing spilers, 900 built.
- UC-95
- One impressed Taylorcraft Model BL65s with side-by-side seating and a 65hp O-145-B1 engine, re-designated L-2F.
Specifications (Taylorcraft L-2)
Data from US Liaison Aircraft in action
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and observer
- Payload: 480 lb (218 kg)
- Length: 22 ft 9 in (6.9 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 5 in (10.8 m)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in (2 m)
- Empty weight: 680 lb (309 kg)
- Loaded weight: 1,200 lb (544 kg)
- Useful load: 450 lbs (204 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Continental O-170-3 4-cylinder air-cooled engine, 65 hp (48 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 93 mph (98 mph L-2M) (150 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 83 mph (134 km/h)
- Range: 230 miles (370 km)
- Service ceiling: 10,400 ft (3,170 m)
- Rate of climb: 350 ft/min (L-2M) (1,070 m/min)
External links
- L-2 page at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
- L-2 page at Warbird Alley
- www.als-cannonfield.com - operates restored L-2s
See also
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
Template:USAF liaison aircraft Template:USAAF observation aircraft Template:USAF transports
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
de:Taylorcraft L-2 it:Taylorcraft L-2
| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "L-2 Grasshopper". |
