L-2M production serial numbers (start and end numbers) ?

[speeddemon651]

Does anyone know what the start and end Taylorcraft L-2M serial numbers were ?

I'm specifically trying to find out when the greenhouse/observation rear windows were utilized serial number wise for the L-2M's. If not what year did it start (I'm thinking 1943) and end ?
(I know some people had modified earlier models adding them)

Did Taylorcraft produce the L-2m and T6 glider at the same time ? I'm interested in buying a L-2M but want to make sure it's not originally a T-6 that was converted to a L-2.
(Seems to be a few out there and a lot of L-2's don't have good documentation if any...)

I've noticed registration wise, a lot of Taylorcraft L-2's are registered model wise as either a DCO-65 or L-2 and have their serial numbers listed with an (O-****) or (L-****) or just 4 digits (****).
Other than the obvious, people dropping the letter over the years as planes changed hands, data plates being lost etc, is there any story behind some aircraft being listed as on O=observation, L=liaison or just a plane 4 serial number ?

Any L-2M's still utilizing wing spoilers ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Bigdog]

Re: L-2M production serial numbers (start and end numbers) ?

The L-2A/B/M's were all observer models. The O-57, L-2 and TG-6 conversions were all fastback/turtledecks. See the drawing attached to decode model configurations by s/n. The registration models seem to be all over the lot and inconsistent. My TG-6 conversion was registered thru the years as a DC-65, L-2 and DCO-65. My L-2A has a fastback fuselage but was originally an observer. It seems a lot of L-2's got converted to fastbacks when they got into civilian hands. My guess is they didn't value them as warbirds like we do now and just wanted cheap civilian transportation. The fastback is slightly faster. I looked at an L-2M once that had logs showing a conversion to fastback and later back to observer.

Of my 4 L-2's serial number registrations show 2 with just numbers, one with and L prefix and one with an O prefix.

Only L-2M's and TG-6's had spoilers. The TG-6 conversion to a DC-65 was required to remove or cover the spoilers. Many of the L-2M's still have operable spoilers.

[speeddemon651]

Re: L-2M production serial numbers (start and end numbers) ?

Thanks for the great reply!

That leads to another question, did other models come with the Observation rear window other than the L-2M ?
I was under the impression only the late L-2M's came with the rear Observation Greenhouse glass ?

[M Towsley]

Re: L-2M production serial numbers (start and end numbers) ?

L-2A's and L-2B's came with the observation glass. Much smaller production runs than M's. They are also light sport whereas M's are not, (just a side note).

[speeddemon651]

Re: L-2M production serial numbers (start and end numbers) ?

AAHHHH, I see. Just goes to show what someone tells you might not always be fact. Thanks again Marty !

[M Towsley]

Re: L-2M production serial numbers (start and end numbers) ?

This was my L-2B at the Air Force Museum Liaison event in 2006.

[warbugdriver]

Re: L-2M production serial numbers (start and end numbers) ?

Taylorcraft L-2Ms fell into the serial number range of L5166 thru L6066