TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

[Tony Johnson]

I own and fly a Taylorcraft that I bought from an aviation museum in Washington State. They called it an L2, so, I call it that also. In fact, it was orginally delivered the the Army in 1942 as a TG-6 glider.

After the war the TG-6's were mustered out and most, if not all, were converted to DC 65's. This was a simple conversion it would seem, since the airframe was a DC 65 that was modified fwf to make it a glider. Taylorcraft produced a kit to convert the TG-6s back to DC 65s making it the same as an L2. I am told that the cockpit is a bit roomier than the standard DC65/L2. I wonder if there are any other differences.

Does anyone else here have one of these, or know of others? I read a thread here about one that is for sale as a project.

[Dick Huish]

Re: TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

Hi Tony. The TG-6 was built using the DC-65 airframe. It is the same except for the necessary changes for thr glider. The TG-6 got spoilers as did the Aeronca TG-5 to help the glider operate more like the heavier gliders. The L-2M was built using the glider wings. Originally the window slid the same as the door window. Dick

[Ragwing nut]

Re: TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

The last TG-6 project we had I sold on ebay a year or two ago. A good friend of my Grandfather's converted many of them to DCO'c after ther war.

Mike

[GLB]

Re: TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

Hi Tony, what kind of cruise do you get with your DC-65/L2? Is your's power with a Cont. A-65? I am curious.
Also am I right in thinking that the L-2M's were the only ones with spoilers.
GB

[flyguy]

Re: TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

My first 10 hours flying were in "L2's" at Amelia Reid Avaition in San Jose, CA. I put them in quotes because she had 2 of them and they were closed in the back (no glass to the rear), and I never asked what they really were. They look just like the model D shown in my Aircraft of the World book. I've never seen one anywhere else. I suppose they might have been conversions.
By the way, they rented for $9.50 an hour.
Darryl

[M Towsley]

Re: TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

GB,

Yes, the L-2M was the only one with spoilers, except of course for the TG-6 which also had spoilers.

Darryl,

I got my L-2B from a guy in San Jose and had Robin Reid, Amelia's son, do the prebuy and the ferry flight back to Illinois. They are still flying at least on of the 'L-2's'. The business was sold but still operates by that name. There is a website for Amelia Reid Aviation, www.ameliareid.com . She had something like 55,000 hours before her passing. There are several of these airplanes still flying around.

[GLB]

Re: TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

Hi Marty, what kind of cruise are you getting, my first plane was a DCO-65 but thats so long ago I can't remember what the cruise was and of course they had the enclosed cowl. I do remember cars and trucks passing me once or twice while following I-94 here in MN.
GB

[Tony Johnson]

Re: TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

GLB,

I usually cruise at 80. I have seen 100 with full throttle and a 160 lb passenger. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of my airspeed indicator. I am powered by a C65.

Tony

[tawadc95]

Re: TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

MY L2M cruises at 96 according to gps at 2400 rpm with a 74x42 sensinich.
It stays right with my buddies super cub.

[GLB]

Re: TG6 Glider conversions to DC65/L2

Thanks Guys, that about what I thought.