1943 Taylorcraft L-2M / DCO-65

1943 Taylorcraft L-2M / DCO-65 Grasshopper

Oshkosh 2011 - Best L Bird!

N 50417 / SN: L-5348

N 50417- Price: $75.5K


Times:

Airframe Time: 2200 TTSN – Complete Restoration in 2011
Engine: 271 SMOH – A-65 / Overhaul by Custom Airmotive
Propeller: 271 SNEW – Metal / McCauley

US Army purchased directly from the factory March 3,1945 – Seller has original Bill of Sale.

Avionics:

VFR Only

Garmin 395 GPS
ADS-B Out w/ GDL 34
Handheld Com

Exterior:

10 / 10
Colors: Dark Green

Interior:

10 / 10
Colors: Black
Material: Vinyl

Options:

Hand Prop to Start

Removal / Rechargeable Battery runs Garmin / Strobes / ADS-B w/ three (3) Aux Plugs

Strobes


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!

N 50417- Price: $75.5K


(Specifications, performance, equipment, available avionics equipment, STC’d equipment, included STC’d equipment, component times, damage history and condition subject to verification upon inspection)

Brokered by Maule Air Texas, Inc. – 214-384-1858