L-2 Grasshopper

infobox Aircraft
name = L-2 Grasshopper
type = Observation and Liaison
manufacturer = Taylorcraft

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caption = Taylorcraft L-2M N52347
designer =
first flight =
introduced =
introduction= 1941
retired =
status =
primary user = United States Army Air Force
more users =
number built =
unit cost =
developed from = Taylorcraft Model D
variants with their own articles =

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. 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.

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 Continental 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.

pecifications (Taylorcraft L-2)

aircraft specifications
plane=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref=US Liaison Aircraft in action
crew= Two, pilot and observer
capacity=
payload main=480 lb
payload alt=218 kg
length main= 22 ft 9 in
length alt=6.9 m
span main= 35 ft 5 in
span alt=10.8 m
height main= 6 ft 8 in
height alt=2 m
area main=
area alt=
airfoil=
empty weight main= 680 lb
empty weight alt= 309 kg
loaded weight main= 1,200 lb
loaded weight alt= 544 kg
useful load main= 450 lbs
useful load alt=204 kg
max takeoff weight main=
max takeoff weight alt=
more general=
engine (prop)=Continental O-170-3
type of prop=4-cylinder air-cooled engine
number of props=1
power main= 65 hp
power alt= 48 kW
power original=
max speed main= 93 mph (98 mph L-2M)
max speed alt= 150 km/h
cruise speed main= 83 mph
cruise speed alt= 134 km/h
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
range main= 230 miles
range alt=370 km
ceiling main= 10,400 ft
ceiling alt= 3,170 m
climb rate main= 350 ft/min (L-2M)
climb rate alt= 1,070 m/min
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
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armament=
avionics=

External links

* [http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/air_power/ap4.htm L-2 page at the National Museum of the United States Air Force]
* [http://www.warbirdalley.com/l2.htm L-2 page at Warbird Alley]
* [http://www.als-cannonfield.com www.als-cannonfield.com - operates restored L-2s]

ee also

aircontent
related=
similar aircraft=

*Taylorcraft Auster
lists=
* List of military aircraft of the United States
see also=