World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe L-6A Grasshopper reconnaissance aircraft was US Army's designation for the Cadet design manufactured by the Interstate Aircraft and Engineering Corporation. They had welded steel tube fuselages, spruce wood wing structure with metal ribs, and fabric coverings. Although L-6A aircraft enjoyed slightly better performance, the significantly higher cost when compared to the L-4 Grasshopper (ie. J-3 Cub from Piper Aircraft, Incorporated) led to the production life being limited to only 1941 and 1942, with only about 320 examples produced. In 1945, after the war, the rights to the aircraft were sold to Harlow Aircraft Company, which in turn sold them to the Call Aircraft Company in 1946. Call built a number of them to the civilian market. In the late 1960s, the rights were acquired by the Arctic Aircraft Company, which was then redesigned specifically for the Alaskan terrain and climate.

SPECIFICATIONS

L-6A

Machinery	One Continental A65-8 engine, rated at 65hp
Crew	2
Span	10.82 m
Length	7.14 m
Height	2.10 m
Weight, Empty	500 kg
Weight, Maximum	748 kg
Speed, Maximum	183 km/h
Speed, Cruising	169 km/h
Service Ceiling	5,000 m
Range, Maximum	540 km

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