Photograph:
Taylorcraft DCO-65 VH-ULM² (c/n L-5311) at Cowra, NSW in 1995 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light aircraft
Power Plant:
One 48 kw (65 hp) Continental A-65-8 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)
- Length: 6.9 m (22 ft 9 in)
- Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
- Wing area: 16.72 m² (180 sq ft)
- Max speed: 156 km/h (97 mph)
- Cruising speed: 145 km/h (90 mph)
- Landing speed: 72 km/h (45mph)
- Ceiling: 3,658 m (12,000 ft)
- Range: 425 km (264 miles)
- Empty weight: 397 kg (875 lb)
- Loaded weight: 602 kg (1,327 lb)
History:
Prior to World War II Taylorcraft was known for producing two-seat in tandem basic trainers and, to meet demand, it developed what became known as the “Tandem Trainer”. At this time the US Government was accelerating a training programme to meet the nation’s requirements for pilots for what was foreseen as the coming war. Taylorcraft was having difficulties meeting orders for trainers and in July 1941 the first Model D, known as the DC-65, appeared, being granted its Certificate on 25 November 1941. Standard engine was the 48 kw (65 hp) Continental A65-8, but the Franklin 4AC-176 and Lycoming O-145-B2 engines were also made available.
In September 1941 an order was received from the US Army for four DC-65s to be tested as the YO-57 (serials 42-452 to 42-455), these to be used for ground support work. Later twenty O-57s were delivered (serials 42-7773 to 42-7792). Later again they became known as the L-2 and 336 examples of the O-57A were built (serials 42-15073 to 42-15158; 42-35825 to 42-36074; and 42-38498 to 42-38531). These were followed by the L-2A (43-25754 to 43-25853), these differing in having a cut-down rear fuselage to provide better visibility. This model had wooden spars in order to conserve metal. The L-2A had a higher gross weight by 45 kg (100 lb).
A total of 476 O-57A/L-2As had been completed when production switched to the L-2B (43-1 to 43-490). These were fitted with radio and had a max take-off weight of 617 kg (1,360 lb). These were followed by the L-2M, of which 900 were built (43-25854 to 43-26753) and these had a re-designed engine cowling.
To train glider pilots Taylorcraft produced the ST-100 (known as the TG-6 by the USAAF) and this was derived from the DC-65, having the engine removed and extending the cabin forward to provide a third seat to restore the centre of gravity. Some 253 were built for the USAAF and three for the US Navy. A number of these survived after the war and were fitted with power plants. A total of 2,347 Model Ds, including gliders, was built.
Production to satisfy the equipment of the Civil Pilot Training Program, and the Civil Air Patrol Program, continued for some years and the type was adapted for liaison, communication, observation, and artillery spotting duties. Construction of the fuselage was of welded tubular steel arranged in a Warren truss with fabric covering. The wing was of mixed wood and metal construction, fabric covered. One L-2M or DCO-65 (c/n L-5311) which served with the USAAF as 43-25999, and which at one time operated at Lubblock Army Airfield, Texas, in 1943, was imported to Australia in 1992 and became VH-ULM² (ex N4839T, NC48392), being based at Gunnedah, NSW. This aircraft was later transferred to the RAA register as 24-4215 on 27 October 2004.
In 1990 New Technik Inc of West Virginia commenced development of the L-2M Tech 2 based on the L-2 airframe with an 88 kw (118 hp) Textron Lycoming O-235-L2C engine, this being followed by the Model 20 Tech 4, seating four and fitted with a 172 kw (230 hp) Teledyne Continental O-470-U engine. A Taylorcraft J-2 Cub was imported in late 2011, becoming VH-FZL (c/n 1754 – ex G-BPZR, G-JTWO, NC19774) in Western Australia.