L-2 Questions

[Ed O'Brien]

Tribe;
I'm thinking of buying a 65HP L2... very nice ol' War Bird!
1. 14 gallons seems like there's no legs and cross-country's
would be faster driving. And maybe, less exasperating too. What have you found?
2. What can I expect in performance if I put an C-85? Speed? Service Ceiling? Fuel Burn? Distance per tank of gas?
3. What are you overall impressions of this T-Craft? Handling? Flight Characteristics? Maintanence bills?
4. Is there any straightforward way to get more tankage?
I figure another 6 gallons on board would be nice.
Thanks and I appreciate any and all replies.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[Ragwing nut]

Re: L-2 Questions

Tribe;
I'm thinking of buying a 65HP L2... very nice ol' War Bird!
1. 14 gallons seems like there's no legs and cross-country's
would be faster driving. And maybe, less exasperating too. What have you found?
2. What can I expect in performance if I put an C-85? Speed? Service Ceiling? Fuel Burn? Distance per tank of gas?
3. What are you overall impressions of this T-Craft? Handling? Flight Characteristics? Maintanence bills?
4. Is there any straightforward way to get more tankage?
I figure another 6 gallons on board would be nice.
Thanks and I appreciate any and all replies.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

Yes it could use more gas.

Our L-2M with pressure cowl will indicate 105. It is not a light airplane and really needs the 85 for hot days. Don't know service ceiling but I think it is placarded service ceiling of 10,000. Realistic range is 2hrs with minimal reserve.

Flying characteristics: I like it better than a "B" model. Much more balanced, better visibility.

I have an approval for installing a J-4 header tank. that is pre '55. Only approved extra tankage I know of. Not sure of weight and balance though with an 85-12, should be ok with a -8

Mike

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: L-2 Questions

Mike;
You said: "I have an approval for installing a J-4 header tank. that is pre '55. Only approved extra tankage I know of. Not sure of weight and balance though with an 85-12, should be ok with a -8."

How many gallons in the J4 header tank?
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[M Towsley]

Re: L-2 Questions

Ed,

L-2 stands for "land in two hours". Dick Huish and Mike are your technical guys, Forrest too. I have an L-2B, open cylinder cowl. It is slower than a BC-12D, but loads more fun. I personally would not want my BC-12 back, because once you have experienced the visibility in the L-2, you would not want to go back. Whereas I could get 4 gal an hour in my BC-12 no matter where the throttle is, I burn at least 4.5 in the L-2. Not sure why, different prop and airplane, the L-2 is draggier with the shock cord struts and rear window area. But, LOTS more shoulder room and a stick, no yoke. I would fly one, if you can, to fully experience it. Little more critical in the weight and balance than a BC-12, though you can stick at least two, 200 lb people and full fuel in it, (but over gross). There are days I can watch the cars on the two lanes pass me, but I can usually count on halving my drive time. If it takes four to drive, it takes two to fly. The L-2 is more of a commitment, than a mode of transportation. It is the only plane I currently own and will not get rid of it. For comparison, my friends 85 HP L-2M would outclimb my BC-12, but the BC-12 would walk away from the L-2. My friends M is also a lot of fun with the spoilers. It is a cheap warbird and amazingly, treated just as well as someone flying a Mustang at a fly-in. At least that has been my experience so far. Hope this helps. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any other specific questions.

[n6346m]

Re: L-2 Questions

Love my L-2B Warbug. I once owned a BC12D with a 65 and it was faster than the L-2 but in all other respects I prefer the L-2. When I flew the 2600 miles following the highway from Washington State to my home in Anchor Point Alaska, it took about 36hours of flying time and I averaged 4gph fuel burn for the entire trip. I do wish it could carry more fuel and I had a 5 gallon can strapped in the back seat. I only had to land on the Alcan twice to taxi up to a gas station and fill up. I have since installed a metal prop and I cruise around 80 to 85 MPH at 2050 RPM. I like the visibility of the L-2 and flying with a stick and not having to share my space with someone next to me. It could use more power but I don't know of any STC or field approval for any HP increase. If anyone knows of one please let me know. Im also curious about a bigger header tank.

Bob Picard

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: L-2 Questions

Regarding L-2s, so you can't upgun the engine to 85HP or put anymore or larger tanks in it? Anybody? I'm looking for ideas here. Somebody must know of a legal and safe fix.
These L-2s are too neat not to have a better power package and a little more range.

While I'm sure the Army in WW2 just wanted to spot for artillery and only needed a few hours in the air... somebody must have a patroller or longer range version.

Let me know and with regards for the help;
ED OBRIEN

[Ragwing nut]

Re: L-2 Questions

Mike;
You said: "I have an approval for installing a J-4 header tank. that is pre '55. Only approved extra tankage I know of. Not sure of weight and balance though with an 85-12, should be ok with a -8."

How many gallons in the J4 header tank?
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

12 gallons

Mike

[Ragwing nut]

Re: L-2 Questions

Regarding L-2s, so you can't upgun the engine to 85HP or put anymore or larger tanks in it? Anybody? I'm looking for ideas here. Somebody must know of a legal and safe fix.
These L-2s are too neat not to have a better power package and a little more range.

While I'm sure the Army in WW2 just wanted to spot for artillery and only needed a few hours in the air... somebody must have a patroller or longer range version.

Let me know and with regards for the help;
ED OBRIEN

I have paperwork for a one time stc for 85, paperwork for a C-90, and trying to get paperwork for an O-200. All were installed on "M"'s but should be able to get done on other models.

Dick will know, but I don't think any ever left the states during the war.

Mike

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: L-2 Questions

I've got an old BC12D Header tank -12 gallons. Would that fit under the cowling (in the engine) on an L2? Would the FAA sign it off, given their current shyness on these things?
Thanks for he ideas;
ED OBRIEN

[n6346m]

Re: L-2 Questions

Mike,
How does that J-4 tank fit in where the old header tank is? There seems to be a lot of steel tubing in the way. Does any of that have to be altered? Also, is there a way to gauge the amount of fuel left in the tank? If it's the old floating cork&wire affair I would think that some kind of fuel selector valve would have to be installed to keep the wing tanks from overfilling the fuselage tank.
BOB

Yes it could use more gas.

Our L-2M with pressure cowl will indicate 105. It is not a light airplane and really needs the 85 for hot days. Don't know service ceiling but I think it is placarded service ceiling of 10,000. Realistic range is 2hrs with minimal reserve.

Flying characteristics: I like it better than a "B" model. Much more balanced, better visibility.

I have an approval for installing a J-4 header tank. that is pre '55. Only approved extra tankage I know of. Not sure of weight and balance though with an 85-12, should be ok with a -8

Mike

[Ragwing nut]

Re: L-2 Questions

Mike,
How does that J-4 tank fit in where the old header tank is? There seems to be a lot of steel tubing in the way. Does any of that have to be altered? Also, is there a way to gauge the amount of fuel left in the tank? If it's the old floating cork&wire affair I would think that some kind of fuel selector valve would have to be installed to keep the wing tanks from overfilling the fuselage tank.
BOB

It is an oval tank and fits right up against the tubes. It has a wire guage just like the "B" models so shut off valve for the wing tanks would be required. You have to add mounting attach points for the tank similar to a J-3. Fuel shut off rod no longer works because the valve is so low. I will post a pic tommorrow of one installed.

Mike

[Forrest Barber]

Re: L-2 Questions

Ed & I are communicating off list in case anyone wonders about my thoughts. YES the ship needs more HP. Fuel can be sovled a few ways, there are approved bigger tanks, you can add two more 6 's in the wings for a total of 28 , you can put 60 gal on the rear seat, ( a fellow did this to fly to Israel, he stopped by Alliance on the way) you can add a 15 gal drop tank under the fuselage.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: L-2 Questions

Forrest, Dick Huish, and everyone who's participated in this
thread -- I want to thank you for the information and I appreciate your thoughts.

Forrest: If I put 60 gallons in the back -- a J-4 header tank in the engine compartment -- 24 gallons in the wings -- and a 15 gallon drop tank --

1. I could go around the world slower than Dick Rutan and Jenna Yaeger.
2. Become the only civilian licensed mid-air-refueling tanker in the world. But, since no civilian aircraft are licensed for any such mid-air-refueling, this makes it a gas station without customers.
3. Since it would likely be too heavy to fly -- I could taxi via Interstate Highways and see everyone on this board without refueling.
I'm still in negotiations with the plane's owner but will advise when all matters are finished.

With regards and appreciative best wishes; ED OBRIEN

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: L-2 Questions

Tribe;
Well, here's the L2 I've been speaking about. I've made the deal. The owner seems a fine fellow and we'll finish it up in a couple for weeks. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AD:

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/unprotected/specs/50602.html

Thanks for the response, guidence, ideas, and help. The reason I love this website is because of the specific knowledge of great people, who are glad to share it with
an otherwise easily mystified fellow, like myself. Dick Huish, Forrest Barber, and everybody in the thread THANK YOU!
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[Forrest Barber]

Re: L-2 Questions

Well Ed I am back out of the last mess i got myself into, got to fly again day before yesterday in four different ships too!!
Winter is back, Lou, Marty, and another guy will get stuff sent out this afternoon.
Gosh I had four pages of past due stuff , Yes we did a theoritical ship once when Jim Bede was going around the world,
the only real big tank ship I recall was an F-19 with 12 in nose, 40 in wings, 40 in ferry tank. Total fuel 92 gals... WOW 150 Lyc on her.