First Post in L-2 Section

Here's my L-2M. Yep. Not the usual OD green paint scheme. When I purchased this airplane, it was a medium green with invasion stripes and carrying the markings for an L-4 serving during the Normandy campaign.

During a complete rebuild/recover, I decided on this scheme -- typical of RAF Taylorcraft Austers

Welcome to the forum. Is that a wannabe "Auster" version ? Looks nice. Have you learned anything about your aircraft's history?

Ryan

Ryan,
Just wanted something different than the original OD paint. Maybe a little Auster wannabee in there. I had a BC-12 painted the same way quite a few years ago.

This one isn\'t a full-blown restoration. The panel is approximate to an L-2A whereas the -M had a full military panel (all 4 gauges!). It still has a 65hp engine. I have the spoilers but didn\'t install them during the last rebuild (they let a lot of water into the wings).

My airplane started life as USAAF 43-25985. It was used to train artillery spotters, and later, glider pilots, in OK and TX.

Here\'s how she looked at the time I purchased it.

Is that a 65hp engine on the front or an 85hp?

Ryan

65HP. I've flown these with the larger engines and I didn't notice any difference other than a reduction of the already very short range and a decrease in payload. I burn 3.5-4 gph and cruise a true 100-105mph. I have friends with Cubs who are hardpressed to keep up so I end up bogging along at about 1800 rpm and 85 very-mushy-mph.

They're extremely well-designed for their intended purpose and I'm sure if the designers saw need for a bigger engine, they would have hung one out front.

The short range is definitely a factor with the 85 HP. It took me two fuel stops to get to Midland from San Antonio.
The nice thing with the 85hp is if you have a starter with it - which helps with remote locations if you're by yourself.

Ryan

I've never had any concerns with hand-propping. Obviously you need to be careful. Personally, I prefer to hand-prop on grass (aiming slightly uphill, if possible) as the plane barely moves when it starts.

On my home ramp, I start up with the tail still tied down. Two large pavement cracks at my parking spot are like built-in chocks! If I'm away, I have two wheel chocks with long ropes that I use to unchock myself once the engine is running and I'm either at the door or already in the seat.

No battery = One less thing to fail!

With the decent exchange rate, could be a good chance to get hold of an Auster from the UK - they're very, very cheap over here, there's a couple of airworthy post-war civilian ones (although the price doesn't change much for wartime ones) currently for sale here for £14,000 each