4.7K members Join group About Discussion More About Discussion About this group Buy, sell, or trade Luscombe Perhaps that is because Luscombe was the first to completely enclose the engine within a cowl, a feat of development at a time when Aeronca and Piper were still cooling flat engines by leaving the cylinders out in the breeze and hoping for the best. WebFor something between $15,000 and $21,000 and the willingness to learn to fly the airplane, the Luscombe can be a most enjoyable personal magic carpet. The engine is a Continental Model C85-12 and is rated at 85 horsepower. I love seeing planes, and motorcycles or other oddball barn finds out of the ordinary realm of old cars. The information contained in this record should be the most current Airworthiness information available in the historical aircraft record. On a gusty day in a Luscombe with questionable brakes, the sweating occupant of the left seat may be in full agreement. Easy fix.bolt a leg to each wing tip and put harbor freight casters on them..Snap! Runup takes only moments: Move the stick about to check the ailerons and elevators (after taxiing, the pilot should know if the rudder is properly attached), check the mags and carb heat (on some models the manual recommends landing and taking off with full carburetor heat), scrutinize the engine gauges, set the elevator trim, set such gyros as are installed, and line up with the runway. See the original article: Lust for a Luscombe The aircraft has a cruise speed of 78 knots and a stall speed of 37 knots. Because more than 50 years have lapsed since most rolled off the assembly line, the idea of aerobatics in the airplane should be approached with extreme caution while contemplating the timeless question: How many times can you bend a tin can? A Luscombe does not come close to being in that category. The engine rebuild alone will set you back about $15,000. However, this data In 1955 the type certificate was sold to an organization in Colorado. With appropriate equipment it is a passable IFR airplane, although range and en-durance can be a little short when trying to reach an alternate. About 1,000 Silvaires were built between the first part of 1938 and the early months of 1942. If the airplane is rigged correctly, it does not want to drop a wing; it just pitches down, straight ahead. Taking on an airplane project can be daunting, but there are many aviation enthusiasts that will tell you planes of this era are so blissfully simple that theres nothing to be afraid of. The brakes are actuated by independent floor pedals that were a marvel of innovation in their time. Continental A65-8, 2840 TTSN, No Electrical or Transponder, On a positive note, the current Luscombe Aircraft Company of Las Vegas, Nevada, has upgraded the design and anticipates selling a 185-hp nosewheel version to be called the Model 11E. Your feet will MOVE on every take Wouldnt there be more damage to the prop and cabin area? The general aviation aircraft is a high-wing, monoplanes with side-by-side seating. Bluntly speaking, the cabin is just plain small by todays standards. A Bellanca Citabria is considered an easy tailwheel airplane to handle on landing. Sign in to continue reading, By Plane and Pilot Updated November 20, 2017 Save Article. Slowing to speeds just above the stall demonstrates that the controls, particularly the rudder, remain effective. Production was resumed after the war with allmetal versions of the Silvaire, the 8E and 8F. This upgraded 8A entered production in June 1940, and immediately became a best-seller, was first of the breed to be referred to as Silvaire. WebLuscombe-8C 1940; 75hp Continental A-75-8J with fuel injection; load: 480# v: 118/107/40 range: 340. Those who have flown Luscombes for a time have learned that because the controls are very responsive, even at fairly low speeds, the aircraft can handle very stiff crosswinds. All were sold to private owners who desired tandem seating and extraordinary visibility. No need to buy avgas ($5.60/gal.) He left Mono Aircraft, maker of the speedy Monocoupes, to set up his own company in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1933. Its an interesting alternative to a Cessna of the same era, and in their day, Luscombes were fairly advanced aircraft. Please post more of them. WebIt's actually an excellent plane for a low time tail wheel pilot. Luscombe aficionados point with pride to the numerous pictures of the airplanes with 16 to 20 people perched atop the wing. A Luscombe is a few steps more difficult to keep straight on landing than a Citabria and a few steps easier than a Stearman. First of all, there is just something cool about flying such a back to basics airplane. All true, and the Gullwing is incredible but the Howard is better with its more common Pratt and Whitney R985. While that only proves the airplane is able to withstand negative Gs, it is impressive nonetheless. Almost unique. STANDARD DATA: (8-A) Seats 2. Whats Going On with Cessna Denali Turboprop. Dumbest thing I ever did in aviation, but I got away with it. You found out that you have to fly it all the time in any kind of winds. Beautiful airplane that flies incredibly well. He never went into production; rather, he overhauled, rebuilt, repaired, modified, obtained STCs for, and upgraded Luscombes from around the world. Once in the air the pilot discovers that the Silvaire has crisper handling than its tube-and-fabric brethren. Mine is a 8E The biggest problem with tail-draggers is landing in a crosswind. With appropriate equipment it is a passable IFR airplane, although range and en-durance can be a little short when trying to reach an alternate. This airplane is certificated in the normal category. Most Luscombes now have 12.5-gallon fuel tanks in each wing, converting to the style of the later marques and away from the original 14-gallon tank behind the seat. Start your free trial today! His had the typical wrinkle in the skin aft of the main gear showing a hard landing or two. Its clean lines belie its years. Same aircraft.I It managed to sell about 80 8Fs before collapsing in 1960. This freed up some space within the cabin to create a small shelf for storage for the occupants. The details are the stuff of disagreement even today, but it seems that the type certificate changed hands while money did not, so Larsen kept the tooling. Its an interesting alternative to a Cessna of the same era, and in their day, Luscombes were fairly advanced aircraft. On a gusty day in a Luscombe with questionable brakes, the sweating occupant of the left seat may be in full agreement. The renamed Model 8 emerged from its brief gestation, someone spun the propeller, and it flew on the propitious date of December 17, 1937. 1,200. Empty wt. 1949 Packard Super Deluxe Eight LWB Sedan, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkDQBXH02fE, https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?category_level1=Single+Engine+Piston&make=LUSCOMBE&model=8E&listing_id=2315544&s-type=aircraft, Upgraded Small-Block V8: 1971 Plymouth Scamp, Everything Included: 1979 Chevrolet Dually Dual Cab, Affordable Alternative? I think a Taylorcraft has to be an eye-opening experience in the same vein. One nice thing about these types is some fall under the Light Sport category letting you start flying cheaper then buying a new LSA,which can run 50K on up. I have flown the J-3 Cub, the Citabria and the Pitts Special and have never ground-looped. Luscombe pilots have broken off tailwheels on bumpy fields and discovered that they could fly home, make a wheel landing, apply a little brake and power, then taxi to the ramp while holding the tail in the air. Never ground looped. ). Total count: 890 aircraft. The gear is also narrow. He never went into production; rather, he overhauled, rebuilt, repaired, modified, obtained STCs for, and upgraded Luscombes from around the world. Don Luscombe worked much of his adult life to develop and market an all-metal airplane, fighting almost constant financial crisis in the process. In cruise the 8E or F will scoot along at a little better than 100 mph on about 5.5 gph. Over 6,000 postwar Silvaires were built, and more than 2,000 are currently rated airworthy. The type certificate and tooling were acquired by Moody Larsen of Belleville, Michigan, in 1964. The engine immediately lived up to the skeptics fears as it proved to be cantankerous. 1946 Luscombe 8A. The brakes are actuated by independent floor pedals that were a marvel of innovation in their time. for approved maneuvers. The handling of a Luscombe on landing has to be put in perspective. When Renaissance Aircraft decided to start up the line with a 150-hp version of the 8F, it came to John Larsen and asked him to build the first one. Fuel Burn at 75% power in standard conditions per hour. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 110. And you can get an STC for using auto gas for a lot of light a/c. Takeoff distance (50) 1,950. At the time, the company president and largest stockholder turned out not to be a U.S. citizen, but an Austrianwhich did not endear the company to the Army in the wake of the Anschluss. The Luscombe 8A is a wonderful tailwheel airplane to fly, but will demand the utmost performance out of a pilot.#luscombe8a #tailwheel #thisoldpilotWebsite: https://www.thisoldpilot.comThis Old Pilot Disclaimer:This Old Pilot is about sharing and exploring flight and the sheer beauty and freedom it can give aperson who takes to the air. The The tail comes up of its own volition, or earlier if motivated by the pilot. If the nose wanders a degree to the left or right, apply the necessary rudder to bring it back and keep it there. There's quite a difference flying a low wing loading older light plane from a high wing loading one that pretty much punches through the winds and turbulence. The United States did not buy Luscombes for wartime duty. They exist because of the determination of an affable scalawag to create and mass-produce all-metal airplanes. Find the best new and used aircraft for sale such as business jets, helicopters, Experimental, Warbirds and more. I have time in one of these. For the sake of cost, there are two sticks but only one throttle, located in the center of the panel, so the command stick is held in ones left hand. John Larsen, son of Moody, now runs things at Larsen Field. On a small grass strip four miles south of Henry Fords behemoth B-24 plant at Willow Run, Larsen lived, worked, and quietly became the Luscombe doctor. I have flown in them in the past as one of them belonged to a friend but all the comments about ground handling are true, weight capacity also true, fun to fly TOTALLY but damn it is a small airplane. Another common problem with small 2 place aircraft of this vintage is weight capacity..2 modern size people cant fly it with full fuel without being over weight. Read more about avoiding scams and protecting your money. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. For instance in my plane one double entry and three small errors on the previous W&B decreased the useful load by sixteen pounds. One of the coolest plane pictures I ever saw was at a small WVA airport. Franklin has a good support group. Find it here on craigslist for $4,750 and go here if the ad is archived. WebFlying a 1945 Luscombe 8A tailwheel airplane This Old Pilot 148 subscribers Subscribe 4.7K views 1 year ago #tailwheel Flying a 1945 Luscombe 8A tailwheel airplane. Just updating the panel will cost most of what this old bird is worth. By Staff Updated February 22, 2016 Save Article. While it may be nothing but showmanship, the Silvaire can make a good pilot look very good and let the pilot flying it have a ball. WebThe New Luscombe LSA Model 8 Thoughtfully designed to incorporate modern equipment with the look and feel of the Classic Model 8. airworthiness of an aircraft or the current aircraft configuration. Side-by-side two-seaters, the postwar models used a Continental 90- hp engine and were claimed to be acrobatic. I shudder to think of what its going to cost to get the radio and instruments back in shape, let alone the engine. The airplane is powered by a horizontally opposed, four cylinder, direct drive, normally aspirated, air cooled, carburetor equipped engine. If the airplane is rigged correctly, it does not want to drop a wing; it just pitches down, straight ahead. Look at this example on trade-a-plane for what 26K will get you. They are admired and prized by those who know them well. LOW TIME 1940 LUSCOMBE 8A $26,000 ACCEPTING OFFERS UC-90A Paint Scheme N25289, S/N 1195, 2166 TT completely restored starting in 2000, 40 Get extra lift from AOPA. constructed to USA CAR 4a standard airworthiness requirements. Hey guys, take a look at yotube about a bad Luscombe landing out on the left coast. Depending on the model, loading (the maximum gross weight of all but the lowest-powered versions is 1,400 pounds), and temperature, acceleration ranges from sedate to brisk. Visibility over the nose is outstanding. The general aviation aircraft is a high-wing, monoplanes with side-by-side seating. He says that even crosswinds are manageable, thanks to its effective ailerons. To everyones pleasure, the little powerplant became reliable enough to use on an airplane. Even at the climb speed of 72 mph, the airplane answers control inputs nicely. Returning to the field for The Luscombe 8A is a classic monoplane with historical value - with many models still being used by pilots and collected by aviation enthusiasts. The Luscombe 8A aircraft is a high-wing monoplane released in 1940 and it is part of Luscombes 8 series. Hello, youre 1,000 feet off the ground. A Bellanca Citabria is considered an easy tailwheel airplane to handle on landing. The tailwheel is in clear view and should be examined carefully, for tailwheels have been known to break off. The power-on or departure stall demands that the ball be kept in the center, or the airplane will roll briskly and drop the nose sharply at the break. That radio should be in a museum. The power-on or departure stall demands that the ball be kept in the center, or the airplane will roll briskly and drop the nose sharply at the break. My dad bought a Luscombe 8A a few months ago but I finally got the chance to fly in it today with him when he came to help me work on the Venture. Taxiing one in a stiff crosswind is work. WebIf you are in the market for a Luscombe aircraft or have one that you would like us to sell for you, contact us here. Because the flare and touchdown are so easy to do well, new Luscombe pilots occasionally experience a false sense of security. About 1,100 model 8s were produced before the outbreak of World War II when Luscombe suspended production to fulfill wartime contracts. 2023 FLYING Media. Web1939 Silvaire Luscombe 8A N25159 1808TTAF, 748TTE, 300 STOH with Millennium Cylinders, Continental O-190 C85 with starter, Auto or 100LL, Fabric wing in good shape, Annual completed 6.1.15. The stall breaks cleanly. With a full fuel load, the maximum allowable weight in the cabin is only about 400 poundsa motivator, combined with the space available, to keep pilots from becoming too portly. Bring the tail up, and drive it around, as is. Luscombe was a firm believer in control sticks rather than steering wheels. The corrugated metal control surfaces are easy to inspect. By Luscombe Aircraft itself went out of business in 1949. John Larsen, son of Moody, now runs things at Larsen Field. The combination of relatively stiff landing gear, fairly narrow gear tread, and effective flight controls means that a pilot who does not position the controls correctly is going to have trouble during landing rollout. Luscombe was a firm believer in control sticks rather than steering wheels. Aircraft just underwent a 15 year restoration and was finished in 2011. His is an original 8A with no electrical system. They made money with it, I asked not and thats why Im asking not telling. They make it clear that they will not tolerate a milquetoast on the stick and rudder but will reward the pilot who truly knows how to operate those devices. Tame compared to a Pitts S-1. Continental A-65-A total time: 1068, SMOH 21 hours. Otherwise these are great Art Deco pieces of art that look super hanging in your hangers rafterswhere most can be found. In 1937, Continental Motors approached Luscombe with a new 50-horsepower, four-cylinder, horizontally opposed engine. Now, because they are pushed by ones heels rather than toes, there are those who insist they are a nefarious plot on the part of those who make airframe replacement parts to ensure a steady flow of business. Yes, a turbine has been hung on a Luscombe. Recovery is conventional and only requires the pilot to reduce back pressure on the stick rather than shove the nose down. It also developed the 8E and 8F with electrical systems and 85- and 90-hp Continentals, respectively. WebThe Luscombe 8 was designed by Donald Luscombe and flown for the first time in 1937. Yes, sadly, it has already crashed. How's that for fuel economy? It is sad, but this Luscombe is good for parts or perhaps a static display. Try 150K for a CTLS. I know a guy who flies one in NM, based at a field of 4,800 ft elevation. WebItem specifics 1946 LUSCOMBE 8A TTAF:1068 LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT FOR SALE! It's a different kind of flying and different challenges and rewards too. A properly leaned Silvaire generally has greater endurance than its pilot, simply because of the small cabin. Contents 1 Background 1.1 Dallas, Texas 1.2 Chandler, Arizona 1.3 Gilbert, Arizona 1.4 Famous Owners 2 Variants 3 Specifications (Silvaire 8-F) 4 See also 5 References 6 External links He lost control of the company within sixteen months and resigned in April 1939, never again to be involved with the organization that continued to bear his name. If Moody Lar-sen did his magic and caused a 115- or 150-hp engine to be up front, climb rate can easily exceed 1,000 fpm. Get extra lift from AOPA. The attractive, extremely strong, tailwheel two-place personal airplane came out of the factory for an initial price of $1,895. 8A EASY PROJECT $8,500 N1005K (1946) N1013K (1946) N1015K (1946) N1029K (1946) N1034K (1946) N1035K (1946) N1040K (1946) N1042K; N1045K (1946) N1046K (1946) N1057K (1946) N1064K Line up with the center of the runway and stop with the tailwheel straight. That airplane was in Oshkosh last year and attracted a lot of attention, so there is hope that the proud heritage is not over. WebThe 8A is equipped with a Continental A-65-8 engine. In cruise the 8E or F will scoot along at a little better than 100 mph on about 5.5 gph. Mysteries Of Flight: The Curious Case Of Pan Am Flight 914, Fond Farewell to a Titan: The Antonov An-225. Aircraft is flown regularly so times are variable. Here are some of the specific's: Year: 1946 Engine: C-65 with 112 Hours Airframe: 1,400 Wind Generator Another favorite. You will cement your skills with a luscombe and all others will seem like a cake walk. Because the flare and touchdown are so easy to do well, new Luscombe pilots occasionally experience a false sense of security. But a tail-dragger wants to switch ends and put the tail first. https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?category_level1=Single+Engine+Piston&make=LUSCOMBE&model=8E&listing_id=2315544&s-type=aircraft. All rights reserved. About 1,000 Silvaires were built between the first part of 1938 and the early months of 1942. Temco took over Luscombe and produced some 8Fs with wing flaps while also building the Swift before throwing in the towel. Perhaps that started the reputation that persists to this day describing Luscombes as a ground loop waiting to happen. Ceiling 15,000. Jamestown, New York 14701 . Total Time Aircraft: 1068 hours. Weight and balance data missing? if it had been on its back wouldnt the verticle stabilizer be much worse? 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Avg. So, I thought I would toss out some known numbers on this one particular Luscombe 8A with an A-65, Ceconite covered wings and a brand new PMA'd 14 gallon fuel tank. In January 1935, Luscombe moved his factory to West Trenton, New Jersey, where development started on the Model 90 (to be renamed the Model 4), another radial-engine machine with a lower price tag. Aircraft.com is the leading registry for planes, jets, and helicopters. It failed miserably in the market; only six were sold. Its clean lines belie its years. 3301 Turner Road. By 1960 over 5,800 aircraft has been produced by Luscombe Aircraft Corporation and subsequent companies. Difficulty in getting production up and running meant that Luscombe was late to the 1946 airplane-selling party and could not cash in as effectively as others, even though it eventually pushed 15 airplanes out the door each day. LUSCOMBE 11A SEDAN Become a member and get exclusive access to articles, contests and more! One of the major design achievements of Luscombe aircraft was the all-metal monocoque wing arrangement, replacing the industry standard of a fabric covering. Theres a bunch of birds around here that were in a lot worse shape than this one when their restoration was started. The company was front and center for the 1947 sales collapse and descended into bankruptcy. This provided a cheaper and less complex design, and later changes to the vertical and horizontal stabilizers likewise simplified construction and sped production times up. The gear is stiff and narrow, yet the rudder is effective, as is the tailwheel. Using the original Luscombe jigs, restorations are expertly crafted in our 25,000 square foot hangar at the Jamestown Airport KJHW. WebFind N71881 1946 LUSCOMBE 8A on Aircraft.com. As in a Greek tragedy, just as Don Luscombe reached his goal of mass-producing all-metal airplanes, the continuing effects of the Depression, constant lack of capital, and his financial shenanigansincluding failure to repay loans and creative use of stockcaught up with him. Been a Luscombe owner for a few years and have no complaints. Actually, I thought that a Piper Pacer was notorious for ground loops. Perhaps that is because Luscombe was the first to completely enclose the engine within a cowl, a feat of development at a time when Aeronca and Piper were still cooling flat engines by leaving the cylinders out in the breeze and hoping for the best. Full stall and wheel landings are a little deceptive in a Silvaire. Then theres the Gull Wing Stinson. Taken during high wind, it was a picture of a J3 Cub flying about 1 foot off the ground at the ends of its tie down ropes. John grew up in Luscombes, holds an A&P certificate, and has acquired the breadth of knowledge held by his father. Climb rate for the 8E and 8F was claimed to be 800 feet per minute. 1946 Luscombe 8A - Plane & Pilot Magazine This is the 1st of your 3 free articles Become a member for unlimited website access and more. Production was resumed after the war with allmetal versions of the Silvaire, the 8E and 8F. Remember, Dave, there are two kinds of pilots who fly taildraggers: those who have ground-looped and those are GOING to. For the sake of cost, there are two sticks but only one throttle, located in the center of the panel, so the command stick is held in ones left hand. It was not to be. Overall, the airplane is most pleasant to fly and travels cross-country efficiently. Sign in to continue reading 1946 Luscombe 8A By Staff Updated February 22, 2016 Save Article I got frustrated with how long my restoration was taking on N77885 and did exactly that one calm afternoon. I read all the accident reports in Flying mags and others. The next day he joined other competitors in flying a local air show; Giles Henderson in his clipped wing cub, Herb Cox flying his Drunk Farmer Stole a Cub routine, Jerry Spear The 8A wasnt that much more prone to the ground lomcevak than a Cessna 120/140 series. Find it here on craigslistfor $4,750 andgo here if the ad is archived. For the first several takeoffs in a Silvaire, it is a good idea to use grass runways to take advantage of the drag on the tailwheel. Luscombe 11A Sedan. Last Annual, logs showed 2878 TT and 851 SMOH, Narco 810 Com and Narco AT 150 Transponder/no encoder or ADSB; no other avionics! Continental E-165-2 engine, 40 gallons fuel, 130 MPH. on board. Luscombe Aircraft Company created the expensive two-place, radial-engine Phantom, whose ground handling was so awful that more than one buyer canceled the sale after taking his first flight. Same 65 hp, but a bigger wing than Luscombe. Difficulty in getting production up and running meant that Luscombe was late to the 1946 airplane-selling party and could not cash in as effectively as others, even though it eventually pushed 15 airplanes out the door each day. The gear is stiff and narrow, yet the rudder is effective, as is the tailwheel. For the sake of cost, there are two sticks but only one throttle, located in the center of the panel, so the command stick is held in ones left hand. Gaze at them and think fond thoughts, for they can be the Achilles heel of a Luscombe. Woulda killed me. "I was charmed in many ways by the Luscombe - its gleaming, polished-aluminum surface, the great handling, zippy yet economical performance, surprisingly easy landings, and good American hardware.". If the pilot is using one of the brakes a great deal, the length of time for a successful crosswind taxi may be limited, as the brake may heat up and fade. For something between $15,000 and $21,000 and the willingness to learn to fly the airplane, the Luscombe can be a most enjoyable personal magic carpet. I watched as one attempted a crosswind landing, it got on the ground ok but before getting off the runway, a wing picked up and it flipped sideways. In 1980, an organization in Georgia sought to revive the production line and entered into an agreement with Larsen to buy the type certificate and tooling. This monoplane has a Continental A-65 (65hp) engine and 1946 Luscombe 8A. Even at the climb speed of 72 mph, the airplane answers control inputs nicely. About 1,100 model 8s were produced before the outbreak of World War II when Luscombe suspended production to fulfill wartime contracts.
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