Nederlandse Modelbouw en Luchtvaartsite

Dutch Modelling and Aviation

In Memoriam

Klaas Willem Jonker
(Wilko)
† April 30, 2018

On Monday 30 April 2018, Wilko Jonker died after a long illness at the age of 58. He leaves behind a wife and two children. The Dutch military aviation and plastic modeling were his hobby and on this website he shared all the knowledge he has collected over the years. His hobby has been able to distract him from the persistent disease in his body until the last week of his life. The contacts with other hobbyists were a major support for him.

This website will be maintained by different people for as long as possible, so that other enthusiasts can continue to benefit from extensive content.

Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper

History

The Taylorcraft factory developed in 1941 the Model D tandem trainer designed for artillery observation and light transport and courier services.

After a successful evaluation by the US Army of four examples under the designation YO-57, 70 Taylorcraft O-57 Grasshopper were ordered. These were equipped with a Continental O 170-3 engine rated 65 hp.

Soon 336 examples of a modified version, designated O-57A,  was ordered with a radio and extra cockpit glazing.

During the second world war, the aircraft was used by the Army Air Force for directing artillery fire. It was also used for liaison tasks, the ability to take off and land on rough landing zone came in handy. In 1942 the two variants were subsequently referred to as L-2 and L-2A.

A later version was the L-2B, especially for artillery observation, of which 490 were built and a variant with wing spoilers and a fully-cooled engine, the L-2M, of which 900 were ordered.

A number of civilian models, a few of which had been built, were "claimed" and received designations of L-2C to L-2L.

Also 253 gliders were still designated as ST-100, built on the basis of the L-2 for use as a glider trainers.

After the war some L-2s were passed to foreign air forces, many aircraft went into civilian hands.

 

Technical information
Dimensions:
Length: 6,9 m Wingspan: 10,8 m
Height: 2 m Wing area: - m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 309 kg Max. start weight: 544 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 150 km/hr Rate of climb: 1070 m/min
  134 km/hr    
Range: 370 km Service ceiling: 3170 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Lycoming Contintental O-170-3 rated 65 hp
Crew: One aviator
Armament: None

 


During 1944 the NEIAF received two Taylorcraft L-2Ms under Lend-lease conditions. both aircraft were stationed at AFB Canberra at the NEI-PEP (Netherlands East Indies - Personnel and Equipment Pool).
Initially they were used as target tow for the training of airgunners for the B-25s. Both aircraft were also used for liaison duties.

The TCO-010 crashed in October 1944 at Canberra, the TCO-011 moved with the PEP in September to Bundaberg and was used there as a replacement of the Tiger Moth. Aspirant fighterpilots first flew several hours with the L-2 and were then converted to the P-40 or the Mustang.

Early 1946 the aircraft was damaged and not used any more. In June 1946 the aircraft moved together with the PEP to Dutch New Guinea.
The ML became the owner of the aircraft and it was repaired and in November 1946 added to the inventory of the OOS (Overgangs Opleidngs School = Conversion Trainings School). It was mainly used for joy flights.
By the end of July 1947 TCO-011 was re-registered and received serial R-334.

In 1950 it was handed over to the AURIS.

 


Serial Second Serial US Fisc. Year no. Constr. nr. Datum entering service Datum out of service Notes
TCO-010 - ?? - 1944 10-1944 Crashed and written off.
TCO-011 R-334 43-26492 - 1944 10-06-1950 From 10-1949 in permanent loan of "Vliegclub Bandoeng".
Handed over to the AURIS

 


1/72nd Scale

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1/48th Scale

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Both aircraft were initially overall ANA 613 Olive Drab. I have seen just one photo of the TCO-011 in e.g. the book of Hugo Hooftman, showing a rather dark coloured aircraft with black serials.
In the book "Army Co-operation bij de Militaire Luchtvaart in Indië 1946 - 1950 written by P.C. Boer, a photo us shown of the R-334. The aircraft seems to be of a light colour with black serials.

Scheme Colour name FS number BS-number Humbrol XtraColor Vallejo Model Color Vallejo Model Air
Serials TCO-010 and TCO-011, overall Olive Drab [faded].
Standard #1 Overall Olive Drab ANA 613     66 X113 70.887  
Serial R-334
Standard #2 Overall Aluminium Dope   56 / 191   70.864  

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

Taylorcraft-L2-Grasshopper-1-SMALL
Scheme 1: Taylorcraft L-2M grasshopper.
The first scheme, overall olive drab with Dutch Flag as national markings.
Tweede Kleurenschema layorcraft L-2M.
Scheme 2: Taylorcraft L-2M Grasshopper.
The second scheme, overall aluminium dope with Dutch flag and serial in black on the tail.
Derde Kleurenschema layorcraft L-2M.
Scheme 3: Taylorcraft L-2M grasshopper.
The third scheme, overall aluminium dope with Dutch roundels and serial in black on the fuselage.

 


Literature.

Militaire Luchtvaart in Nederlandsch-Indië in beeld Hugo Hooftman Pag. 132 1978 Uitgever Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
40 Jaar Luchtvaart in Nederlandsch-Indië Gerard Casius & Thijs Postma Pag. 117 1986 Uitgever De Alk, Alkmaar
Army Co-operation bij de Militaire Luchtvaart in Indië 1946 - 1950 P.C. Boer   2004 Uitgave Sectie LuchtmachtHistorie

 

Websites.

Special thanks to M.T.A. Schep for the information and especially the nice photo's which helped me a lot to produce and correct my initial colour schemes.