Taylorcraft L-2 – Photos & Video

Lla Taylorcraft L-2 Sauterelle 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 Forces 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 ‘sauterelle’ nom après avoir été témoin d’un atterrissage cahoteux. Cela a conduit à une ordonnance de production sous la désignation O-57 Grasshopper. En mars 1942, la désignation a été changée pour L-2 Grasshopper.

Source: Taylorcraft L-2 sur Wikipédia

The Taylorcraft L-2 is a light observation aircraft that was used by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It was based on the civilian Taylorcraft Model B, but modified with a tandem seating arrangement, a Plexiglas skylight and rear windows for improved visibility, and military radios and instruments. The L-2 was mainly used for artillery spotting, liaison, courier and general reconnaissance missions. It had a fabric-covered steel-tube fuselage and wooden wings, and was powered by a 65 hp Continental A65-8 engine. It had a maximum speed of 92 mph, a range of 225 miles, and a service ceiling of 10,000 feet. The L-2 was nicknamed « Sauterelle » because of its ability to take off and land on short, unprepared fields. The L-2 was one of the most widely used light aircraft in the war, with over 5,000 units produced. It served in all theaters of operations, and was also exported to several Allied countries. After the war, many L-2s were sold on the civilian market, where they continued to fly as personal or sport aircraft.