Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper
The L-2, adapted from Taylorcraft's pre-war commercial Model Tandem Trainer, was
initially designated the O-57 at the time it was first ordered by the Air Corps. The
airplane was given its service tests 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.
At the time American ground forces went into combat around the world during WW II, the
AAF began using the L-2 in much the same manner as the observation balloon was used in
France during WW 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.
| General characteristics L-2A |
| Primary function |
Liaison |
| Power plant |
One Continental O-170-3 engine |
| Thrust |
63 HP |
47 kW |
| Wingspan |
35.4 ft |
10.79 m |
| Speed |
max. |
92 mph |
148 km/h |
| cruising |
83 mph |
134 km/h |
| Ceiling |
10,040 ft |
3,060 m |
| Range |
230 miles |
370 km |
| Armament |
None |
| Crew |
Two |
| Date deployed |
1941 |
Jirka Wagner (If you find
some photo, send it to me, please)
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