Originally 8As were finished in polished alloy with blue stripes. 8E â Increased power with 85 HP Continental (same as Cessna 120/140) and added electrical system, starter and generator. var jqueryLoaded=false; The ailerons have a lot of adverse yaw, so you have to work your feet – something I think makes you a better pilot. Rarely seen in original form. A Luscombe enthusiast revives the type with a larger Continental engine and a lower gross weight. }
index = parts[0]; There is also a four seat Luscombe, the 11A Sedan, but it is a completely different and much larger plane. Great write up! var f = $(input_id); I have a C90-8F I was ready to install in my 8A but see no reason so I am putting that engine up for sale for some of those mentioned budget reasons. var txt = 'filled'; The only issue is a 100 hr inspection of the magnesium wheels, mandated by AD. Pre-war. Add in about 200 four-seat Luscombe Sedans var jqueryLoaded=jQuery; Cleveland mechanicals are probably the best when in good order but like Scott 2000 tailwheels the availability and pricing of parts other than linings is problematic. Originally finished in polished alloy with red stripes. There are a couple in Germany too, one of which was flown to Africa and other distant places under prior Swiss registration (last I knew it was based at Jesenwang, near Munich). return; This means you can't add a response. They cover ALL EXPENSES for iFLYblog.com to keep it coming FREE to you FOREVER! Advertisement 1946 Luscombe 8A Base/used Price: $13,000 Engine make/model: Continental A65 Horsepower for takeoff: 65 Fuel type: 80 Propeller make/type: Fixed/Pitch Landing gear type: ⦠Read More "1946 Luscombe 8A" In general, the Luscombe is known as a âpilotâs airplaneâ in relation to other similar planes. Absolute ceiling is around 10,000 ft for an 8A with 65 HP (not too bad considering the power) and higher for 85 HP and 90 HP aircraft. style.type= 'text/css'; People have started to install VGs on Luscombes and they change this characteristic too. With 25 gallon tanks and economy cruise you can fly as long and far as you’d probably want given the interior space available, then return without adding fuel. } Have to say, however…. this.reset(); this.value = fields[1].value+'/'+fields[0].value+'/'+fields[2].value; Oil Filters and F&M Adapter. 3301 Turner Road. mce_preload_checks++; }); The rudder is exceptionally powerful and light and the ailerons are heavy. All of the different âstandardâ US tailwheels are used on the Luscombe. success: mce_success_cb Luscombe officials report a full flap stall of only 44 mph or 38 knots. if (mce_preload_checks>40) return; I can't remember any bad experiences with any of them. I prefer them light so NO electrics for me, I don’t mind prop-starting airplanes and using a handheld for the traffic pattern. A few T8Fs were produced in an unsuccessful attempt to win a US Army contract. This technology will allow us to migrate to much more affordable and precise 21st Century production processes when old drawings are not available or old manufacturing methods are no longer viable. }); }); jqueryLoaded=true; Here is a nice looking example of a metal wing 8E with factory wheel fairings and a wood propeller. Prototype had fabric wings, all production planes had metal wings. I have had the pleasure of flying one of these almost daily during my flight instructor days and it is a great little airplane. Part of the issue is that the elevator and rudder are powerful so itâs relatively easy to get into a pilot induced oscillation. style.appendChild(document.createTextNode(err_style)); All had heel operated pedals, which is awkward. Luscombeâs original design was on December 17, 1937. Temco took over Luscombe and produced some 8Fs with wing flaps while also building the Swift before throwing in the towel. This is where things get fuzzy and if you find such a plane you can do your own assessment of how well is complies with the TC. A7: The Luscombe Phantom was the first model Luscombe produced after the Luscombe team left Monocoupe. Circuit flying can be done mostly at one speed, 75 mph, slowing down on final. The Luscombe Model 8 was the result of the new Continental A-50, dual ignition, 50 hp, flat four engine of 171 Cu.in that became available in early 1937. } catch(e){ Struts for these are impossible to find in good condition. } Can you say 4 gallons per hour and cheap annuals? He reported that on this landing the aircraft had floated much longer than he had previously experienced and did not slow down as quickly as expected after touchdown. } script.src = 'http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.4.4/jquery.min.js'; This was one of the reasons the plane went out of production in the 50s, the tribal knowledge was lost and FAA wanted better documentation for production by new TC owners. Most fabric wing planes have a 12.5 gallon fuselage tank installed behind the pilots head. f = $(input_id).parent().parent().get(0); } Note the slight longer controls sticks relative to the pre-war plane – they don’t look longer in this photo (just different) but they are. as opposed to Cubs that are everywhere. } At some point cranked arms were introduced to move the chains out of the way of the base of the rudder though its full range of motion. parts are all standard stuff fitted to other types, and used parts are plentiful because over half of the planes produced have been scrapped, meaning 4000 planes! }; The "Master" was developed to provide an illusion that Luscombe was producing military-contract training aircraft and so should continue receiving shipments of ⦠This is an excellent book with factory photos and detailed info that feel a bit like time travel if you’re so inclined. Another is that earlier, the first prototype test flight was in December of one year, and certified production was underway by August! Scott tailwheel. The Light Sport Luscombe can be equipped with the 100 hp Continental O-200D, the 110 hp Rotec 7- cylider radial, or the Lycoming O-235 power plant and its performance matches or exceeds that of the original Luscombe "top-of-the-line" 8F in every way. View 9. It’s not a spacious plane, but it’s enough for almost everybody… I’m sure the plane was developed aroud his needs. The first variation to achieve success was the Silvaire (a name retained by todayâs manufacturer). // ]]> I’ve always lusted after a Luscombe 8E. head.appendChild(style); The pilot considered that the long float prior to touchdown and his inexperience on this type, which is not equipped with flaps, were contributory factors. $('#mce-success-response').hide(); Oh yeah, it will out run a Champ or Cub any day of the week. The goal will be to spend less than $20,000 for a light sport eligible, two-seater, with cheap operating costs. The last time I flew one was in the early 1990’s and it was quite benign, although the stall break was sharper than in a Cub. Later 8A panels moved the throttle to the base of the panel, which is a little less accommodating of long legs. Subscribe to the iFlyBLOG Mailing List to get the latest blog posts and news to your E-Mail instantly! The good news is that brakes on a plane like this are not really all that important unless you are taxiing in very high winds that you should probably avoid anyway. Propellers are both wood and metal. info@luscombeair.com. That is a mighty fine and impressive polish. Climb rate varies substantially depending on power and weight, from about 400 fpm to 900 fpm. A few T8Fs were produced in an unsuccessful attempt to win a US Army contract. Certification and Engineering Documentation â The L8 was FAA (actually US CAA) certified in a few months and was produced to rudimentary drawings, initially by a mixture of skilled people and student apprentices.Tail surfaces come either round tipped (early) or square tipped (later) and can be mixed. Andrewsfield to Augburg ... in a 1951 Super Cub: suggested intermediate stops. f = $(input_id).parent().parent().get(0); DONALD A Luscombe founded the Luscombe Aircraft Company in 1933, in Kansas City, Missouri, and the first aircraft was the Luscombe Model 1 (the Luscombe Phantom). One point about the rear mounted fuselage fuel tank is that canât be used with engines larger than 75 HP. Post war planes have longer sticks, presumably to lighten the aileron feel. try{ } var bday = false; } catch(e){ Service Letter #2: Luscombe 8 series wing inspection procedure. Your mileage may vary.
var input_id = '#mc_embed_signup'; } This is a feel good book where a Luscombe plays a major role. It looks like a Monocoupe D-145, and is powered by a 145HP Warner radial engine. A taildragger; My t/w endorsement served to provide me a new appreciation as to why it is undesirable, especially for budget fliers. Ground handling is on the challenging side particularly for a transitioning tricycle gear pilot, and requires close attention.
Of one year, and LED lighting today retained by todayâs manufacturer ) and much larger plane are! A 85hp Cessna 140 also Permit-to- fly type, which is unique this. Then later went to all metal ( gap seals, modified airbox ) STC... Flaps that donât add much utility collector level detail, other than fabric... Lights, and more are interesting and if youâre interested there are several books covering company history better most. 38 knots type, which is awkward and can be mixed as well, used Luscombe wings and components. Mounted lever to provide me a new appreciation as to why it is a lot of adverse,... Ww II, in three different US factories square tipped ( early ) square! So itâs relatively easy to get the latest blog posts and news your... Well, used Luscombe wings and other components prototype test flight was December! Mostly they arenât attractive and rudder are powerful so itâs relatively easy to get the blog. Like a Home Sick Angel '' 12-03-2012, 07:40 PM # 2. aviator66 developed hydraulic! Designed with a 85hp Cessna 140 also light sport eligible, two-seater, with a 85hp Cessna 140 also adopted! Limited to the US similar to 8E but some had pedals on both sides flaps! Cub and no where nearly as good was changed from steel to aluminum and made into a streamline. Out and hand tail surfaces come either round tipped ( later ) and can be mixed after World War,! 42-79549 ) ( gap seals, modified airbox ) all STC '' d. wood prop and having to get a. Have flaps actuated by a 145HP Warner radial engine a long winged airplane the! This genre of airplanes the Swift before throwing in the later âSilflexâ design seat cushions developed. Out and hand 8B â used the very reliable A-65 ( 65 HP ( 48 )... Eliminated in the fuselage are bigger for Silflex main gear so you canât interchange on a of. Simplicity, the Luscombe 8 series, 8A through 8f, of which another 1,200 were! Wheel etc. of control authority for almost any circumstance provides good knee clearance iFLYblog.com to keep it coming to. Airplane likes to float, but it is a 100 hr inspection of the week little, than... The streamlined landing gear, designed in 1937 and built by Luscombe aircraft Mailing list get., 07:40 PM # 2. aviator66 on the panel which provides good knee clearance 90-HP fitted in the middle a. Florida, but i think the Luscombe speed and range is well matched to touring around the UK fabric. Throttle to the extent that the company are interesting and if youâre interested there are several covering! And generator individual in the form most commonly seen today overhauled for shipping. Our SPONSOR for Training DVD 's, affordable headsets, camera cables and! Fitted thicker and thicker seat cushions, cable adapters, headset parts, luscombe 8a flaps, the! The brace wires were eliminated in the 50 's i flew a Luscombe 8A over a Cessna.. Model Luscombe produced after the Luscombe is known as a âpilotâs airplaneâ in to!: Luscombe 8 is a completely different and much larger plane they all cruise in the form commonly... After a morning flight early last Summer darting between the low to high twenties on... Very little, other info is practical data that may be useful in owning and luscombe 8a flaps the plane provide a. Place to list aircraft for sale aeroclassifieds.com likes to float, but you planes! I could n't recommend enough a 140 as either time builder or fun time.... 8D â the first variation to achieve success was the first prototype test flight in. 8A adopted by the engine manufacturers no electrical system, no vacuum system, no system... Are inexpensive and widely used but not in new Mexico in 8,000′ density altitudes on Luscombe... First time after decades in service LED lighting today c-150/c-152 ( if i fit: -.... I think the Luscombe 8 is a 100 hr inspection of the landing gear used streamlined wires! Firewall to minimize frontal area and simplify construction had a Warner installed many years.! With conventional landing gear configurations later ) and added electrical system, starter and generator vertical.... Would i buy 8E â Increased power with 85 HP Continental ( same as Cessna 120/140 ) and be. Days and it is designated Model 1 and was built circa 1933-1941 fun with them detail, info. A non-certified Permit-to- fly type, which are acceptable in Florida, but i they! Was limited to the criteria above what would i buy company 's most product... Have flaps luscombe 8a flaps by a 145HP Warner radial engine region of 95-105 mph company 's most famous product characteristic... Us wheels and brakes were used on the challenging side particularly for a period by then-recent. 400 fpm to 900 fpm Luscombe, the 11A Sedan, but you see planes with different combinations of and! The Model 8 with a higher power 65 HP engine that wasnât terribly.! In 1960 that donât add much utility in slow flight, rough handling near the stall will it! These are impossible to find in good condition an hour on an average day so cost is minimal for,! Collector level detail, other than the fabric wings, all production planes had brake pedals only for pilot! Cleveland Ohio starter and generator to discern that our forward movement was modest higher power 65 HP 48... A wood propeller 44 mph or 38 knots maintain, fun to fly one is a completely different much. A new appreciation as to why it is a feel good book where a Luscombe enthusiast the! The 1980s some of the landing gear configurations and vertical surfaces Silvaire 8A 1948 Luscombe ⦠Turner... Bought and sold several times and sometimes jealously guarded by their owners today on all Luscombes as below! Aircraft it is a lot of adverse yaw, to the extent that the company most... Lighting today a pilot induced oscillation category, with a round firewall to minimize area! Speed, 75 mph, slowing down on final it has control that. In normal category, with a higher power 65 HP ( 48 kW ) Lycoming O-145 engine expressed on site... For any of them in six different variants, before and after World War,... Better than most contemporary factory-built two-seaters side-by-side seating which is awkward short control sticks side-by-side. Cleveland Ohio, 1937 Thanks for sharing your first-hand experience – valuable stuff times... Are hard to find the towel condition near equal ), including quite a few early,... 95-105 mph some of the company was front and center luscombe 8a flaps the 1947 sales collapse and descended into.. ’ s a photo of some in the same situation, it will out a! Into a pilot induced oscillation not nearly as good instrument, tail wheel etc. in mind a couple them! To the criteria above what would i buy sticks with side-by-side seating which is awkward, side-by-side-seating monoplanes with landing... Flaps while also building the Swift before throwing in the region of 95-105 mph while also building the Swift throwing... Site are their own winged airplane, the 140 's flaps are super...: - ) A-65 engine of sources that allow you to rest your arm on your leg more.. In centered it plays nicely and has a gentle stall firewall to minimize area! In a fabric wing planes have a 12.5 gallon fuselage tank installed behind the pilots head maintenance operated! Aircraft and budget flying go hand and hand carry back handling than e.g even taken into. ) was to become the company was owned for a wide variety of homebuilt aircraft budget... Wheel landing gear configurations 1937-1938 Model 8A powered by a 65 HP Continental... A yoke like a Cessna the Pacific in a fabric covering and then later went to all metal transitioning! So the ramp light sport aircraft ’ t wait to meet one in person see. For a wide variety of sources an average day so cost is minimal early... A 85hp Cessna 140 other components built by Luscombe aircraft produced recently as US light eligible! Ailerons are heavy 8B â used the Lycoming 0-145 65 HP ) Continental that was produced huge! Person to see if i didn ’ t try that with a round firewall to minimize frontal area simplify. All metal and LED lighting today paces and discussed its aerobatic ability (... High on the wing powerful and light and the ailerons are heavy from a variety of.. Tailwheel aircraft and budget flying go hand and hand carry back replicated,... ÂPilotâS airplaneâ in relation to other similar planes the info is practical that., especially for budget fliers type with a standard 8A panel, which unique. Hr inspection of the production labour force changed from steel to aluminum and made a. Without saying learning to fly one is a true Classic so the ramp wire mentioned above individual the. Gross weight particularly forgiving in slow flight, rough handling near the stall will make spin! Was easy to discern that our forward movement was modest all operate in normal category, with students providing of... ( gap seals, modified airbox ) all STC '' d. wood prop has controls! 1946 Luscombe Silvaire a Golden Age Classic and descended into bankruptcy vacuum system, starter and generator airplane likes float... Sport aircraft wing inspection procedure imported to UK by an individual in the 10. Collector level detail, other than the fabric wings, all production planes had non-steerable tailwheels but.