All rights reserved. Fairly large quantities of fuel in the fuselage tend to give most pilots the heebie-jeebies, so the wing tanks are an improvement, despite the substantial concern Luscombe showed in 1937 for crashworthiness in designing and protecting the original fuselage tank. The dammage to the vertical stabilizer likely means this has been on its back, perhaps from one of those unforgiving landings. This is a simple stick and rudder plane, one of the guys who worked at the repair station I did rebuilt a ground looped one. The 8A wasnt that much more prone to the ground lomcevak than a Cessna 120/140 series. Full stall and wheel landings are a little deceptive in a Silvaire. WebThe Luscombe 8 is a series of high wing, side-by-side seating, monoplanes with conventional landing gear, designed in 1937 and built by Luscombe Aircraft . Shaking a wing during the walkaround inspection reminds one that the Silvaire is remarkably strong. They exist because of the determination of an affable scalawag to create and mass-produce all-metal airplanes. Not many of them around, compared to a Cessna 140 or a Piper Super Cub. This freed up some space within the cabin to create a small shelf for storage for the occupants. Then theres the Gull Wing Stinson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkDQBXH02fE. In 1955 the type certificate was sold to an organization in Colorado. 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 Just remember, Dave, you can fly a Wright farther than you can ship a Pratt. The information contained in this record should be the most current Airworthiness information available in the historical aircraft record. Its way more fun than Trade-A-Plane! Visibility over the nose is outstanding. They are cable-actuated and must be adjusted at the brake mechanism itself. The brakes are actuated by independent floor pedals that were a marvel of innovation in their time. Luscombe 8A Aircraft Overview | SkyTough Dumbest thing I ever did in aviation, but I got away with it. 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. Engine 65-hp Lycoming. 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. Steep turns are such pleasure that it is difficult to stop. Another favorite. I don't know what prop was on this airplane, but it settled down to about 100 mph indicated at 2450 rpm, and I knew we were burning about 4-4.5 gallons per hour. That proves to be the last time that they will relax on landing in a Luscombe. Using the original Luscombe jigs, restorations are expertly crafted in our 25,000 square foot hangar at the Jamestown Airport KJHW. Climb rate for the 8E and 8F was claimed to be 800 feet per minute. First of all, there is just something cool about flying such a back to basics airplane. The stall breaks cleanly. Start your free trial today! Visibility over the nose is outstanding. I got frustrated with how long my restoration was taking on N77885 and did exactly that one calm afternoon. Almost unique. It is sad, but this Luscombe is good for parts or perhaps a static display. A properly leaned Silvaire generally has greater endurance than its pilot, simply because of the small cabin. 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. Temco took over Luscombe and produced some 8Fs with wing flaps while also building the Swift before throwing in the towel. About 1,000 Silvaires were built between the first part of 1938 and the early months of 1942. Ceiling 15,000. Sometimes a tail-SKID like the real early planes used was better. They are the Luscombe 8 series, sometimes referred to as the Silvaire but generally known to all as simply the Luscombe. I knew a guy who converted his Tri-Pacer into a Pacer (dont ask me why). Recovery is conventional and only requires the pilot to reduce back pressure on the stick rather than shove the nose down. Perhaps that started the reputation that persists to this day describing Luscombes as a ground loop waiting to happen. Once in the air the pilot discovers that the Silvaire has crisper handling than its tube-and-fabric brethren. Maneuvering is precise. SUBSCRIBE. A Luscombe does not come close to being in that category. Look at this example on trade-a-plane for what 26K will get you. The type certificate and tooling were acquired by Moody Larsen of Belleville, Michigan, in 1964. Even at the climb speed of 72 mph, the airplane answers control inputs nicely. The tail comes up of its own volition, or earlier if motivated by the pilot. To everyones pleasure, the little powerplant became reliable enough to use on an airplane. We flew loops, rolls, and spins. Climb rate for the 8E and 8F was claimed to be 800 feet per minute. They have been the victims of unfairly critical accusations about their ground handling. An 8E like this one would feature the new cockpit design which relocated fuel tanks from the fuselage to the wings. 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. constructed to USA CAR 4a standard airworthiness requirements. The pancake engines, as they were called, had a reputation for unreliability, so Luscombe was justifiably skeptical of using one. Great aircraft with a rich history. The Howard is not an easy aircraft nor is the Gull Wing Stinson. The company was front and center for the 1947 sales collapse and descended into bankruptcy. Luscombe 8 1944 Luscombe Silvaire Model 8-A Standar 1958 Luscombe Silvaire Model 8-E Oil Capacity 4 quarts 4.5 quarts Performance Do Not Exceed Speed 126 Knots-glide or dive 100 Knots-level 126 Knots-glide or dive 100 Knots-level Max. Structural Cruising Speed N/A N/A 24 more rows One of the major design achievements of Luscombe aircraft was the all-metal monocoque wing arrangement, replacing the industry standard of a fabric covering. An attempt to sell the tandem-seat T8F Observer to the Air Force went nowhere. In 1937, Continental Motors approached Luscombe with a new 50-horsepower, four-cylinder, horizontally opposed engine. Woulda killed me. I have flown the J-3 Cub, the Citabria and the Pitts Special and have never ground-looped. 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. There was the usual painful litigation resolving little, so the Luscombe assembly line continued to lie dormant. The stall breaks cleanly. Americas owner-flown aircraft enthusiasts and active-pilot resource, delivered to your inbox! 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. The EAA chapters are a big asset for restorers as well. Become a member to add images to your comments. Please post more of them. $59,900 FOR SALE Luscombe Aircraft Speaking of which, the engine could be a Franklin, same outfit that supplied engines to Tucker. 2017-2021 LUSCOMBE AIRCRAFT CORPORATION. 1946 Luscombe 8A - Plane & Pilot Magazine This is the 1st of your 3 free articles Become a member for unlimited website access and more. 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 gear is also narrow. The rudder has a relatively short throw, so a pilot used to more travel or less responsive rudders may overcontrol a bit at first. The airplanes met the rather primitive aerobatic certification requirements of the day. That is somewhat optimistic. He lost control of the company within sixteen months and re-signed in April 1939, never again to be involved with the organization that continued to bear his name. Line up with the center of the runway and stop with the tailwheel straight. 2023 FLYING Media. This 1947 Luscombe 8E is no different, and its located in Maine after having not known flown since 1977. 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. Franklin did make a 2 cylinder for the 1970s Champs. I have been flying tail draggers since 1954. Production was resumed after the war with allmetal versions of the Silvaire, the 8E and 8F. Exterior and Interior 6/10. Garmin GPS Map 296, MX11 COMM plus back up hand held unit. And you can get an STC for using auto gas for a lot of light a/c. The journey to restore this would be a busy one, mostly with getting it to comply with the FAA. Find it here on craigslist for $4,750 and go here if the ad is archived. The narrow landing gear make for rather unforgiving landings, but these are a hoot to fly. The original mechanical disc brakes mostly have been replaced by either Goodyear units that are acceptable but frightfully expensive, or Clevelands, which are very good indeed. Just updating the panel will cost most of what this old bird is worth. 4.7K members Join group About Discussion More About Discussion About this group Buy, sell, or trade Luscombe 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. WebLuscombe-8C 1940; 75hp Continental A-75-8J with fuel injection; load: 480# v: 118/107/40 range: 340. Its clean lines belie its years. To view Luscombe and other makes currently available, please check out our Aircraft For Sale for descriptions and photos or PLACE A LISTING of your aircraft for sale. That is somewhat optimistic. The company was front and center for the 1947 sales collapse and descended into bankruptcy. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The engine is a Continental Model C85-12 and is rated at 85 horsepower. Continental A65-8, 2840 TTSN, No Electrical or Transponder, When approaching a Luscombe it is difficult to tell how old the airplane is. Taxiing one in a stiff crosswind is work. Interesting pproject if capable, and yes flipped two, but buyer had best have all past ownership and flight records for gov, and especially other lower 48 pilots whose clannishness and nose in air is legendary, will gleefully screw you over. Luscombe 8A Master 'Silvaire' | Planes of Fame Air 1946 Luscombe 8A. Flew a Luscombe 8A today Its an interesting alternative to a Cessna of the same era, and in their day, Luscombes were fairly advanced aircraft. 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. Same aircraft.I 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. I have time in one of these. Nope. Sign in to continue reading, By Plane and Pilot Updated November 20, 2017 Save Article. I'm a believer in life-long learning, and continuing training for pilots. If I was small and wanted a 2 place taildragger, I would prefer a Taylorcraft. After all, the factory employees had received a practical education in crashworthiness be-cause for several years a major portion of the companys income came from re-building wrecked Phantoms. The biggest problem with tail-draggers is landing in a crosswind. I have seen one plane literally wrapped around another because of high winds. The Mighty Luscombe 8a - Backcountry Pilot I don't really know any different either. The basic prewar 8 rapidly evolved into the 65-hp 8A, then the B, which had a 65-hp Lycoming; the C with a very rare, fuel-injected Continental of 75 hp (and the first to be advertised as a Silvaire); and, finally, in 1941, the D. The D had the same engine as the 8A and was targeted at the Civilian Pilot Training Program, which bought Luscombes in quantity until World War II got under way and general aviation manufacturing was stopped. On a gusty day in a Luscombe with questionable brakes, the sweating occupant of the left seat may be in full agreement. It also developed the 8E and 8F with electrical systems and 85- and 90-hp Continentals, respectively. Aircraft Lust for a Luscombe 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. Returning to the field for Rotation speed is about 55 mph. 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. As World War II wound down, Luscombe moved its factory to Garland, Texas, and decided to resurrect the basic 8A. Links to additional information about Luscombes and other vintage aircraft can be found on AOPA Online. Start your free trial today! WebYear: Not Listed Make/Model: LUSCOMBE 8A Registration #: N71288 Serial #: 2715 Location: Pismo Beach, CA USA $27,000 USD Circle M Aviation CALL (530) 305-4151 I accept the Trade-A-Plane terms of use & service: Send Email Stay safe. The aircraft has a cruise speed of 78 knots and a stall speed of 37 knots. The best flying Light Sport Aircraft ever designed. Been a Luscombe owner for a few years and have no complaints. He left Mono Aircraft, maker of the speedy Monocoupes, to set up his own company in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1933. 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 Rotation speed is about 55 mph. Because the flare and touchdown are so easy to do well, new Luscombe pilots occasionally experience a false sense of security. Yes, sadly, it has already crashed. Fairly large quantities of fuel in the fuselage tend to give most pilots the heebie-jeebies, so the wing tanks are an im-provement, despite the substantial concern Luscombe showed in 1937 for crashworthiness in designing and protecting the original fuselage tank. Landing distance (50) 1,540. Never had a pilot permit, went in silently on half of a share, 4 owners, with my friend who hadroject multi- engine , towards a refurbished ex US military DC 3, and just my 1/8 share towards Federaly regulated and mandated maintenance was not cheap, partner bought my share. See the original article: Lust for a Luscombe Flying a 1945 Luscombe 8A tailwheel airplane - YouTube Easy fix.bolt a leg to each wing tip and put harbor freight casters on them..Snap! Whats Going On with Cessna Denali Turboprop. Fuel capacity 14. Aircraft 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. WebFind N71881 1946 LUSCOMBE 8A on Aircraft.com. STANDARD DATA: (8-A) Seats 2. Weight and balance data missing? However, this data alone does not provide the basis for a determination regarding the. His is an original 8A with no electrical system. How's that for fuel economy? N1005K (1946) N1013K (1946) N1015K (1946) N1029K (1946) N1034K (1946) N1035K (1946) N1040K (1946) N1042K; N1045K (1946) N1046K (1946) N1057K (1946) N1064K WebThe airplane has a lot of adverse yaw, when measured by modern standards, but it's about the same as a Champ and easily handled with a little rudder. All were sold to private owners who desired tandem seating and extraordinary visibility. They exist because of the determination of an affable scalawag to create and mass-produce all-metal airplanes. The information contained in this record should be the most current Airworthiness information available in the historical aircraft record. Even at the climb speed of 72 mph, the airplane answers control inputs nicely. 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. However, this data alone does not provide the basis for a determination regarding the. Recovery is conventional and only requires the pilot to reduce back pressure on the stick rather than shove the nose down. Read more about avoiding scams and protecting your money. We crafted our line to include packages to meet all levels of interest, from day VFR to night VFR with a list of features for the most demanding pilot. 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. 8A EASY PROJECT $8,500 In March 1939, the 8A, with a 65-hp Lycoming, and the 813, with a 65-hp Continental engine, were introduced. Never ground looped. Luscombe was a firm believer in control sticks rather than steering wheels. A Luscombe is a few steps more difficult to keep straight on landing than a Citabria and a few steps easier than a Stearman. Knowing the wings that are holding you up at 5000 feet are same ones that were on saw horses in your yard gives you pause to think about the quality of your work. Overall, the airplane is most pleasant to fly and travels cross-country efficiently. While that only proves the airplane is able to withstand negative Gs, it is impressive nonetheless. Plane and Pilot expands upon the vast base of knowledge and experience from aviations most reputable influencers to inspire, educate, entertain and inform. Theres a bunch of birds around here that were in a lot worse shape than this one when their restoration was started. unless you dont fly regularly. The tail comes up of its own volition, or earlier if motivated by the pilot. For those pilots taller than about five feet, 10 inches, boarding the Silvaire is challenging. Learn More Already a member? FREE TRIAL Available! WebThe 8A is equipped with a Continental A-65-8 engine. By The renamed Model 8 emerged from its brief gestation, someone spun the propeller, and it flew on the propitious date of December 17, 1937. Bluntly speaking, the cabin is just plain small by todays standards. Continental A-65-A total time: 1068, SMOH 21 hours. One of my favorites. They are admired and prized by those who know them well. Yes, sadly, it has already crashed. The flight controls are relatively well harmonized for an airplane designed in the 1930s. Luscombe Aircraft https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?category_level1=Single+Engine+Piston&make=LUSCOMBE&model=8E&listing_id=2315544&s-type=aircraft. Sign up for our free daily email and youll never miss another find: Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases. After greasing the airplane onto the runway, they sometimes make the mistake of thinking that they can relax once they are on the ground. my Luscombe is the only plane I've flown. The handling of a Luscombe on landing has to be put in perspective. By Staff Updated February 22, 2016 Save Article. 1963 V8 Ford Falcon Futura. Any a/c that qualifies as a LSA makes ownership a lot easier. If the airplane is rigged correctly, it does not want to drop a wing; it just pitches down, straight ahead. In March 1939, the 8A, with a 65-hp Lycoming, and the 813, with a 65-hp Continental engine, were introduced. Luscombe Aircraft Corporation | United States | Jamestown, NY 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. Production was resumed after the war with allmetal versions of the Silvaire, the 8E and 8F. 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. Overall, the airplane is most pleasant to fly and travels cross-country efficiently. 3301 Turner Road. Find the best new and used aircraft for sale such as business jets, helicopters, Experimental, Warbirds and more. Luscombe 8A The general aviation aircraft is a high-wing, monoplanes with side-by-side seating. Total count: 890 aircraft. Well, I guess I asked for it (planes, battleships,etc. He says that even crosswinds are manageable, thanks to its effective ailerons. 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. If the nose wanders a degree to the left or right, apply the necessary rudder to bring it back and keep it there. LUSCOMBE 8 SERIES For Sale - Used & New 1 - 5 - Trade-A He never went into production; rather, he overhauled, rebuilt, repaired, modified, obtained STCs for, and upgraded Luscombes from around the world.
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