1943 TAYLORCRAFT DCO-65

Description

Detailed Description 1943 Taylorcraft L-2M / DCO-65 Grasshopper - N50417. Oshkosh 2011 - Best L Bird! Restoration Notes: Top & Bottom engine cowling – Fabricated 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 Damage History: No General Condition / Remarks: This aircraft is in NEW condition – Always hangared Next Annual Date – August 2026 Background: 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. Owner Notes: Based in Kansas Rear Seat swivels 180 degrees for rearward observation. Great flying Bird! Oshkosh 2011 – Best L Bird! Brokered by Maule Air Texas, Inc. – 214-384-1858 Specifications, performance, equipment, available avionics equipment, STC’d equipment, included STC’d equipment, component times, damage history and condition subject to verification upon inspection. Airframe: 2200 TTSN – Complete Restoration in 2011 Note: US Army purchased directly from the factory March 3, 1945 – Seller has original Bill of Sale.

Modifications

Engine: 271 SMOH – A-65 / Overhaul by Custom Airmotive Prop: 271 SNEW – Metal / McCauley

Avionics

Avionics: VFR Only Garmin 395 GPS ADS-B Out w/ GDL 34 Handheld Com Options: Hand Prop to Start Removal / Rechargeable Battery runs Garmin / Strobes / ADS-B w/ three (3) Aux Plugs Strobes