Are the L2 Drawings still available?

[kevin42]

Hi guys!

I'm picking up an L2 project tomorrow and I'm starting to pull together all the documentation I can. The link for the CDs with the drawings doesn't seem to work any more. Is it still possible to download these files?

I'll post pictures of the parts once I get it home. We've got an A-65 that needs rebuilding and a running A-75. What does everyone think of going the A-75 route? I'd like to have the extra performance if possible (I know we'll need an STC for it).

I'm super excited about this, I've been wanting a project like this for a while.

Thanks,

Kevin

[M Towsley]

Re: Are the L2 Drawings still available?

Hi Kevin and welcome.

Please feel free to use the search function, lot of info that way. You can contact Forrest Barber to physically obtain the CD's. On a good day it takes forever for the ones online to download. Forrest's contact info is on here or search for Barber Airport and you should be able to find it there. Best of luck! I miss my L-2B.

BTW, C-85's seem popular but only help in the climb, my opinion from flying my friend's L2-M.

[Edwin Otha]

Re: Are the L2 Drawings still available?

Kevin,
The A75 is kind of a marketing gimick. By the time you put on a prop small enough to get the RPM needed it won't pull the plane. The 65 works real good, slow climbs on hot days. If you want more power install the C85, but you need extra fuel. There is some DATA floating around that installs a CUB tank in the nose rather than the header tank. Good luck on the L2. Does it have an N number?
EO

[kevin42]

Re: Are the L2 Drawings still available?

Thanks for the feedback, I think we'll likely stick with the A65 since we have one anyway.

I just got back from picking it up -- it's a big project, it'll need some welding and straightening and lots of ribs and new spars. I'm up for the challenge assuming we don't hit any major show stoppers. Next step is to see if we can get it registered as we didn't get any paperwork from it. She was N743JS, serial number L-5252. I'm going to try to track down the previous registered owner to see if we can get a bill of sale, or possibly more info. The remains of the plane were passed around for the past several years so that could be a challenge.

And I'm still hoping to be able to buy the CDs from Forrest, having these drawings will be invaluable.

Would it be a good idea to start a progress thread on this project as I inventory the parts and assess the project? I'm going to document everything so if anyone is interested in following the effort I'll post all about the progress.

Kevin

[TimHicks]

Re: Are the L2 Drawings still available?

Kevin,
Congratulations on obtaining this very cool airplane project.
My 1946 65Hp BC12 shares a hangar with a 1941 75Hp BC12.
We've flown lots of formation together. And our planes fly about the same speed.
But the takeoff performance difference is stunning. We'll line up on the runway for a formation takeoff.
But as soon as we're off the ground, he'll be on an elevator towards heaven while I'm still climbing out at a placid pace.
My prop is a wooden Sensenich 72x42. His is a metal climb prop that I don't know the specs for. And his airplane is a little lighter than mine.
But the difference in climb is really remarkable.
We sometimes don't even try formation takeoffs (on a planned formation flight). Because we can't stay in the same airspace without him throttling back to wait for me to climb.
Tim

[Marv]

Re: Are the L2 Drawings still available?

A metal prop makes a big difference with the same engine.

[Joe cooper]

Re: Are the L2 Drawings still available?

A metal prop makes a big difference with the same engine.

I'm really surprised that the 75 upgrade makes much of a difference. I've never heard anyone make that claim before. I can report that an 85 with a starter and a battery DOES make a big difference. On a hot day with two people and full tanks it's really a big improvement. The metal prop , properly spec'd also helps a great deal. It sure helped on mine. Same with a aeronca champ, no comparison to the 65.

[M Towsley]

Re: Are the L2 Drawings still available?

Joe, there are a couple of things in his statement that stand out. Metal climb prop compared to a wood climb prop and the other airplane is lighter. Lighter and a metal prop will out-perform a wood prop and heavier identical airplane.

[kevin42]

Re: Are the L2 Drawings still available?

I'm curious about my dataplate:



Is this usually what they look like, or did someone make this along the way? It's mounted on the instrument panel.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Are the L2 Drawings still available?

I have one like that too. I think when they ran out of nice silk screened data plates they just stamped a chunk of aluminum, screwed it in and went to the next plane. Back then, who cared? If it was counterfeit, they would have done a nicer job. ;-)

Hank