Never ground looped. FREE TRIAL Available! Luscombe Aircraft Corporation | United States | Jamestown, NY 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. Most pilots adjust fairly quickly to this slightly unusual state of affairs. The most daunting thing about a luscombe is the ground handling.they are more prone to ground loops than nearly anything else of there time. 1946 Luscombe 8A Tall narrow gear and no ailerons. Even at the climb speed of 72 mph, the airplane answers control inputs nicely. The information contained in this record should be the most current Airworthiness information available in the historical aircraft record. WebLUSCOMBE 8A $27,000 Reg# N71288 TT: Not Listed Luscombe Silvaire 8A, Only 5 hours since Ly-Con Overhaul. 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. Shaking a wing during the walkaround inspection reminds one that the Silvaire is remarkably strong. Woe may betide the pilot who has an uninformed mechanic who tries to adjust the brakes by pulling on the cables, for that pilot may find nothing when the brakes are most needed. A properly leaned Silvaire generally has greater endurance than its pilot, simply because of the small cabin. The dammage to the vertical stabilizer likely means this has been on its back, perhaps from one of those unforgiving landings. 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. 3301 Turner Road. Luscombe was acquired by Temco Aircraft Corp. in 1948, but only some 50 Silvaires were manufactured before the line was suspended for a second time due to military commitments. 1946 Luscombe 8A. Rotation speed is about 55 mph. It just seems like such a deal ,less then 5K for an airplane, makes you almost think, I could do this, and then reality creeps in and you know it is just the tip of the iceberg of an adventure you probably cant afford! 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. 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. Display name: Grum.Man. Ceiling 15,000. 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. 3,738. 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. Get extra lift from AOPA. Full stall and wheel landings are a little deceptive in a Silvaire. John grew up in Luscombes, holds an A&P certificate, and has acquired the breadth of knowledge held by his father. Discussion in 'Hangar Talk' started by Grum.Man, Apr 8, 2017. Luscombe 8A 1946 Luscombe 8A. 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. You found out that you have to fly it all the time in any kind of winds. 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. LUSCOMBE 8A - Specifications, Performance, Operating cost my Luscombe is the only plane I've flown. Luscombe 8A Master 'Silvaire' | Planes of Fame Air Over 6,000 postwar Silvaires were built, and more than 2,000 are currently rated airworthy. The aircraft has a cruise speed of 78 knots and a stall speed of 37 knots. Wouldnt there be more damage to the prop and cabin area? LUSCOMBE 8A $27,000 Reg# N71288 TT: Not Listed Luscombe Silvaire 8A, Only 5 hours since Ly-Con Overhaul. I'd love to see more people interested in flying, and rekindle old dreams and ambitions you may have had about becoming a pilot. 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. Learn More Already a member? 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. Same aircraft.I See the original article: Lust for a Luscombe My answer is learn to fly the airplane or leave it in the hanger. 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. It also developed the 8E and 8F with electrical systems and 85- and 90-hp Continentals, respectively. Flying a 1945 Luscombe 8A tailwheel airplane. Garmin GPS Map 296, MX11 COMM plus back up hand held unit. Luscombe Aircraft List of aircraft registered in the United States with the manufacturer and model designation of LUSCOMBE 8A, ordered by tail number. About 1,000 Silvaires were built between the first part of 1938 and the early months of 1942. 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. SUBSCRIBE. Given the ruggedness of the metal aircraft, one would have thought that it would have joined the legions of Cubs, Champs, and other L-birds that served in so many roles and locations during the war. If I was small and wanted a 2 place taildragger, I would prefer a Taylorcraft. Maneuvering is precise. All were sold to private owners who desired tandem seating and extraordinary visibility. Line up with the center of the runway and stop with the tailwheel straight. Exterior and Interior 6/10. Been a Luscombe owner for a few years and have no complaints. 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. 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. There was the usual painful litigation resolving little, so the Luscombe assembly line continued to lie dormant. Jamestown, New York 14701 . 2017-2021 LUSCOMBE AIRCRAFT CORPORATION. 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. Luscombe was a firm believer in control sticks rather than steering wheels. if it had been on its back wouldnt the verticle stabilizer be much worse? Temco took over Luscombe and produced some 8Fs with wing flaps while also building the Swift before throwing in the towel. on board. WebAircraft for sale. 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. He never went into production; rather, he overhauled, rebuilt, repaired, modified, obtained STCs for, and upgraded Luscombes from around the world. Get extra lift from AOPA. 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 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. Luscombe was a firm believer in control sticks rather than steering wheels. The tail comes up of its own volition, or earlier if motivated by the pilot. 4.7K members Join group About Discussion More About Discussion About this group Buy, sell, or trade Luscombe The renamed Model 8 emerged from its brief gestation, someone spun the propeller, and it flew on the propitious date of December 17, 1937. LSA were SUPPOSSED to cost 50K. John Larsen, son of Moody, now runs things at Larsen Field. The newest member of the fleet: A 1946 Luscome Silvaire. Anybody else notice the 1956 date on the airworthiness certificate. 1963 V8 Ford Falcon Futura. Just updating the panel will cost most of what this old bird is worth. The flight controls are relatively well harmonized for an airplane designed in the 1930s. WebFind N71881 1946 LUSCOMBE 8A on Aircraft.com. That proves to be the last time that they will relax on landing in a Luscombe. It is exciting because of its responsiveness in flight, yet it induces a healthy level of heightened alertness for its demands on the ground. Bluntly speaking, the cabin is just plain small by todays standards. 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. 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. Slowing to speeds just above the stall demonstrates that the controls, particularly the rudder, remain effective. They are admired and prized by those who know them well. If the airplane is rigged correctly, it does not want to drop a wing; it just pitches down, straight ahead. A Luscombe is a few steps more difficult to keep straight on landing than a Citabria and a few steps easier than a Stearman. Or subscribe without commenting. 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. The tail comes up of its own volition, or earlier if motivated by the pilot. The handling of a Luscombe on landing has to be put in perspective. Links to additional information about Luscombes and other vintage aircraft can be found on AOPA Online. For those pilots taller than about five feet, 10 inches, boarding the Silvaire is challenging. I have time in one of these. Thanks for including it!!! 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. The wing tips look OK, left horizontal stabilizer leading edge is banged in addition to the damaged vertical stabilizer so ground loop is out. Mine is a 8E Become a member to add images to your comments. 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. The final models of the 8F were produced by Silvaire Aircraft Co. between 1946 and 1960 when their production was discontinued permanently. $59,900 FOR SALE The rudder has a relatively short throw, so a pilot used to more travel or less responsive rudders may overcontrol a bit at first. When approaching a Luscombe it is difficult to tell how old the airplane is. Franklin did make a 2 cylinder for the 1970s Champs. Annual inspection 10/10/2022. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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 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. 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. That airplane was in Oshkosh last year and attracted a lot of attention, so there is hope that the proud heritage is not over. Weight and balance data missing? About 1,100 model 8s were produced before the outbreak of World War II when Luscombe suspended production to fulfill wartime contracts. The preflight is without surprise or duplicity. 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. Luscombe 8A - The Good, Bad and Ugly? : r/flying - Reddit If the airplane is rigged correctly, it does not want to drop a wing; it just pitches down, straight ahead. 8A EASY PROJECT $8,500 I love seeing planes, and motorcycles or other oddball barn finds out of the ordinary realm of old cars. 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. 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. Find the best new and used aircraft for sale such as business jets, helicopters, Experimental, Warbirds and more. It's a different kind of flying and different challenges and rewards too. Side-by-side two-seaters, the postwar models used a Continental 90- hp engine and were claimed to be acrobatic. 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. His is an original 8A with no electrical system. Fuel Burn at 75% power in standard conditions per hour. 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. The aircraft is a two-place, high-wing, single-engine airplane, equipped with conventional landing gear. The gear is stiff and narrow, yet the rudder is effective, as is the tailwheel. It managed to sell about 80 8Fs before collapsing in 1960. Find it here on craigslist for $4,750 and go here if the ad is archived. 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. Range 350. This monoplane has a Continental A-65 (65hp) engine and WebThe Luscombe 8 was designed by Donald Luscombe and flown for the first time in 1937. Overall, the airplane is most pleasant to fly and travels cross-country efficiently. No one has been able to explain it to me but a nose-gear naturally wants to move straight forward. ). It also developed the 8E and 8F with electrical systems and 85- and 90-hp Continentals, respectively. The cowling opens to allow contemplation of the wonders within. 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 . Stall mph 37. Each aircraft is restored to uncompromising standards and unique specifications of each owner or buyer. The corrugated metal control surfaces are easy to inspect. The engine is a Continental Model C85-12 and is rated at 85 horsepower. WebItem specifics 1946 LUSCOMBE 8A TTAF:1068 LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT FOR SALE! Taxiing one in a stiff crosswind is work. I read all the accident reports in Flying mags and others. No need to buy avgas ($5.60/gal.) Please post more of them. 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. Nope. It failed miserably in the market; only six were sold. By Staff Updated February 22, 2016 Save Article. 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. Americas owner-flown aircraft enthusiasts and active-pilot resource, delivered to your inbox! 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. 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. unless you dont fly regularly. Was this a successor to the Luscombe Silvaire that I remember as a kid? The Mysteries Of Flight: The Curious Case Of Pan Am Flight 914, Fond Farewell to a Titan: The Antonov An-225. They have been the victims of unfairly critical accusations about their ground handling. However, this data alone does not provide the basis for a determination regarding the. 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. Now, be-cause 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 re-placement parts to ensure a steady flow of business. In March 1939, the 8A, with a 65-hp Lycoming, and the 813, with a 65-hp Continental engine, were introduced. The electrical system, with a 12 volt storage battery, is fully protected by thermal-type circuit-breakers and switches. Takeoff distance (50) 1,950. Read more about avoiding scams and protecting your money. 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. airworthiness of an aircraft or the current aircraft configuration. Franklin has a good support group. The 8A seats up to 1 passengers plus 1 pilot. Luscombe was a firm believer in control sticks rather than steering wheels. Good times, flying old PAPI Price Estimate (as of June 1, 2022): View photos, ownership, registration history, and more. LUSCOMBE 8 SERIES For Sale - Used & New 1 - 5 - Trade-A However, this data alone does not provide the basis for a determination regarding the. 1946 Luscombe 8A Could be one of the lowest time Luscombe in the World! A65 engine 1243.9 SMOH. 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. Climb rate for the 8E and 8F was claimed to be 800 feet per minute. Using the original Luscombe jigs, restorations are expertly crafted in our 25,000 square foot hangar at the Jamestown Airport KJHW. Its an interesting alternative to a Cessna of the same era, and in their day, Luscombes were fairly advanced aircraft. Continental A-65-A total time: 1068, SMOH 21 hours. They made money with it, I asked not Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. 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. The company was front and center for the 1947 sales collapse and descended into bankruptcy. No more white knuckles. Initial climb rate 900. That is somewhat optimistic. Your feet will MOVE on every take However, this data Yes, sadly, it has already crashed. The gear is stiff and narrow, yet the rudder is effective, as is the tailwheel. Almost unique. Sign in to continue reading 1946 Luscombe 8A By Staff Updated February 22, 2016 Save Article 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. Whats Going On with Cessna Denali Turboprop. The experience of flying is wonderful, and when you gaze at the beauty below you, it provides a different perspective on life.I've been flying since 1978 and have been witness to numerous changes in aviation throughout the years. Plane and Pilot expands upon the vast base of knowledge and experience from aviations most reputable influencers to inspire, educate, entertain and inform. 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. 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. The engine immediately lived up to the skeptics fears as it proved to be cantankerous. Luscombe 8 ( minimum altitude, I think) I like the quick disconnect wings. In 1955 the type certificate was sold to an organization in Colorado. 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Avg. Gross wt. 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. That's quite a change up from the Venture. Flew a Luscombe 8A today Any a/c that qualifies as a LSA makes ownership a lot easier. His had the typical wrinkle in the skin aft of the main gear showing a hard landing or two. WebThe New Luscombe LSA Model 8 Thoughtfully designed to incorporate modern equipment with the look and feel of the Classic Model 8. This freed up some space within the cabin to create a small shelf for storage for the occupants. One of the coolest plane pictures I ever saw was at a small WVA airport. I know a guy who flies one in NM, based at a field of 4,800 ft elevation. 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