The US Army evaluated the tandem two seat Taylorcraft DC-65 in 1941 and ordered 70 examples as the O-57 Grasshopper. These were subsequently redesignated L-2’s in 1942. The L-2A followed and this featured all round vision and had a radio installed. The L-2B (490 built) had minor improvements and was followed by the L-2M (900 built) which introduced a fully cowled engine and wing spoilers. The Taylorcraft ST-100 (250 built) was a three seat training glider developed from the DC-12. After the war a number of these were re-engined and retain their US Army designation TG-6. A healthy number of Grasshoppers remain active.

C-FXST                    c/n 5810                        USA

2 seat observation aircraft first flown in 1941

Engine: 65hp(48kW) Continental A65                                                                                              Length: 22’9"(6.93m)                                                                                            Height: 8’0"(2.43m)Wingspan: 35’5"(10.79m)                                                                                               No.built: 476 Range: 230miles(370km)                                                                Cruising speed: 80mph(128kmh) Empty weight: 875lb(397kg)                                                   Maximum take-off weight: 1300lb(590kg)

N48389                   c/n L-5300                           

Taylorcraft DCO-65 (L-2A) Grasshopper Side view 1/144 scale