Used a fuel injected Continental 75 HP engine based on the A65 and had an art deco instrument panel as shown below. Luscombe Silvaire 8F: A Classic LSA. "The pilot, who had approximately 60 hours experience on tailwheel aircraft but only two hours on type, had completed a check flight on the Luscombe 8A a few weeks earlier. So if I was limited to the criteria above what would I buy? $('#mce-success-response').hide(); View 9. See our previous installment here. Flying magazine once had a pilot report by their UK contributor where he put the type through its paces and discussed its aerobatic ability. Rarely seen in original form. Note how the example listings are for 65-hp versions, which are acceptable in Florida, but not in New Mexico. Did they sell mostly in the US? I could go on to describe more details, but I think that’s enough. These are not overly strong aircraft, or over powered aircraft despite being able to hold a bunch of people on the wing. The 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. I would have more hours in her but for work, weather and having to get a Cleveland wheel shipped from the US. In fact if the tank level is relatively low, it doesn’t supply enough flow for 65 HP and for that reason there is a placard with the fuselage tank requiring carb heat (i.e. function mce_preload_check(){ The ailerons have a lot of adverse yaw, so you have to work your feet  – something I think makes you a better pilot. I’ve always lusted after a Luscombe 8E. msg = resp.msg; }); I’ve only owned one but my (re) initiation into flying was in mine, and as a result I met other people with them, and pretty soon I was surrounded by them on all sides. 46 LUSCOMBE 8A-E CASH ONLY • $18,000 • FOR SALE BY OWNER • Cash, 0200, Project, X PNDR-FGP, 2-16Gal Tanks, 100 SMOH, Pants, Dual SS Ex, All Metal, Annual due. Prototype had fabric wings, all production planes had metal wings. $('#mce-'+resp.result+'-response').show(); var validatorLoaded=jQuery("#fake-form").validate({}); Many people like that the plane has stick controls, not a yoke like a Cessna. 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. }, 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. 8B – Used the Lycoming 0-145 65 HP engine that wasn’t terribly successful. Fairly late in production, the brace wires were eliminated in the later ‘Silflex’ design. Pressed aluminum instrument panel in the form most commonly seen today on all Luscombes. Phone: 833-587-2662 For simplicity, the aircraft was designed with a round firewall to minimize frontal area and simplify construction. I’m obviously a Luscombe fan too! The Luscombe 8F , 90 hp is the one to buy, period. var index = -1; Instrument panel was a flat sheet of aluminum. script.src = 'http://downloads.mailchimp.com/js/jquery.form-n-validate.js'; 2. Early planes had non-steerable tailwheels, but you see none of those today. In the air, Luscombes have more responsive handling than e.g. Originally 8As were finished in polished alloy with blue stripes. function(){ } return; No. 8E – Increased power with 85 HP Continental (same as Cessna 120/140) and added electrical system, starter and generator. Scott tailwheel. I can't remember any bad experiences with any of them. this.value = fields[1].value+'/'+fields[0].value+'/'+fields[2].value; } Early ac had metal structure with a fabric covering and then later went to all metal. 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. Like many older aircraft it is not particularly forgiving in slow flight, rough handling near the stall will make it spin. Ruggedly built, cheap to maintain, fun to fly – what else is there. He was later lost flying across the Pacific in a Bonanza IIRC. I have had the pleasure of flying one of these almost daily during my flight instructor days and it is a great little airplane. In most ways it’s a rather direct little thing: it gives you exactly what you ask for, whether you know what you’ve asked for or not Some people like this, some people don’t. Then the all metal wing was introduced and it has almost no ribs at all, it’s almost hollow and uses mostly top hat stiffeners riveted to the skins instead of ribs. The politics of the company are interesting and if you’re interested there are several books covering company history. You can also see the streamlined landing gear brace wire mentioned above. Unfortunately they don’t have the power to tow gliders, otherwise I’d probably have one. Circuit flying can be done mostly at one speed, 75 mph, slowing down on final. 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. Most fabric wing planes have a 12.5 gallon fuselage tank installed behind the pilots head. Some of the info is collector level detail, other info is practical data that may be useful in owning and maintaining the plane. } Temco took over Luscombe and produced some 8Fs with wing flaps while also building the Swift before throwing in the towel. f = $().parent(input_id).get(0); In 1955 the type certificate was sold to an organization in Colorado. C-150/C-152 (if I didn’t want a taildragger). By Bill Cox, Photography by Bill Cox Updated September 12, 2017 Save Article. Most American pilots know the Model 8 series, 8A through 8F, of which another 1,200 units were delivered. try { PLUS TWO FREE eBooks! However, existing N-registered planes all operate in normal category, with a standard FAA C of A, unaffected. The only issue is a 100 hr inspection of the magnesium wheels, mandated by AD. Climb rate varies substantially depending on power and weight, from about 400 fpm to 900 fpm. } For 85 or 90 HP engines you need wing tanks. Wing tanks were available, initially 11 gallons per side for the fabric wing 8D, but almost all tanks produced were 12.5 gallons per side, starting with the metal wing 8E. if (!jqueryLoaded) { Tail surfaces come either round tipped (early) or square tipped (later) and can be mixed. The flight controls are not well harmonized, but you get used to it. Maybe the most interesting thing overall is that 1946/47 production was not a cottage industry, it was a serious industrial situation for about two years. 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. return mce_validator.form(); A taildragger; My t/w endorsement served to provide me a new appreciation as to why it is undesirable, especially for budget fliers. Marvel Carburator Mixture. Not many of those around here. if (parts[1]==undefined){ var f = $(input_id); Some LAA administered Luscombe 8A aircraft have been reconfigured to 8F … $('.datefield','#mc_embed_signup').each( $('#mce-'+resp.result+'-response').html(msg); var i = 0; A few T8Fs were produced in an unsuccessful attempt to win a US Army contract. There are ‘basically’ three different types of wings, each with its own specific wing strut design… The original fabric covered wings have metal structure with built up hand-made ribs, and were discontinued in early 1946. That one still has the bracing wires rather than the Silflex, a maule tailwheel and a 90-HP fitted in the last 10 years. Here she is after a morning flight early last summer darting between the clouds. Here’s the view over the nose of final, I think its attractive and the forward view is pretty much like a nose wheel plane even on the ground. Thanks for sharing your first-hand experience – valuable stuff! That is a mighty fine and impressive polish. f = $(input_id).parent().parent().get(0); if (i.toString() == parts[0]){ Postwar Cessna 120/140s that led to all the later Cessnas were a direct copy, but enlarged and more industrialized with less handwork in their production methods. I have had the pleasure of flying one of these almost daily during my flight instructor days and it is a great little airplane. i++; They have even put a small turboprop on a couple of them. A brief summary of the variants is as follows. Control Cables and Nicopress. Lv 4. script.type = 'text/javascript'; try { var msg; The price range of these birds goes between the low to high twenties depending on condition. script.type = 'text/javascript'; All variants are on the same FAA TCDS A-694, meaning it’s relatively simple to convert any Luscombe variant to any other and most of the planes are a mixture to some degree or another. } catch(e){ 8D – The first to introduce wing tanks, installed in a fabric wing. Some 8Fs were produced with flaps. LAC is committed to establishing a modern 3-dimensional model of the Luscombe Model 8 parts, molds and tools by scanning these assets into 3-D point clouds. Used the very reliable A-65 (65 HP) Continental that was produced in huge volume (for Army liason Piper Cubs etc.) 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. var script = document.createElement('script'); A couple of new Luscombes were produced recently as US Light Sport Aircraft. View 5. Produced both pre and post-war. //

var mce_preload_checks = 0; Disclaimer: This is a publicly accessible system. try{ } catch(err) { } var jqueryLoaded=jQuery; At that time, late 30s, there was a growing demand for skilled aircraft metal workers and an economic depression, so the apprentices were close to unpaid. Using aileron alone in an attempt to turn will result in the nose pointing off in completely the wrong direction, so you learn to use your feet. Firm also did aircraft maintenance and operated the Luscombe School of Aeronautics, with students providing some of the production labour force. Beautiful aluminum wheel fairings are optional for any of the landing gear configurations. function(){ It is a true classic so the ramp appeal is a thousand times better than most contemporary factory-built two-seaters. }; Same engine as an 8C, very rarely seen today. Most of the ‘standard’ US wheels and brakes were used on the Luscombe, and they are largely interchangeable. $('#mce-'+resp.result+'-response').html(msg); Model 8B Luscombe Trainer As Model 8A powered by a 65 hp (48 kW) Lycoming O-145 engine. Given the lack of flaps you use the drag bucket instead, slowing on short final into the drag bucket to dissipate energy and prevent float… but not too soon, on 65 HP variants at least you don’t have much power to ‘pull it out of the bucket’ if required. index = -1; 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). this.reset(); View 8. 0 0. fnsurf. They built so many Luscombes they’re a bit like weeds, if you closely in any direction you see one Mostly I fly another plane now, but Luscombes get under your skin. Understandably, the airplane likes to float, but not much worse than a Cub and no where nearly as bad as a Taylorcraft. Great write up! } else { The giant glove boxes had a second purpose as a location to install huge old radios on both sides, so there’s lots of room for that purpose today, using only the pilots side.

var input_id = '#mc_embed_signup'; }); The little bullet-proof 4 cylinder continental will sip 4 gallons an hour on an average day so cost is minimal. View 7. head.appendChild(script); The rudder is exceptionally powerful and light and the ailerons are heavy. Service Letter #5: Landing Gear. The "Master" was developed to provide an illusion that Luscombe was producing military-contract training aircraft and so should continue receiving shipments of … } else { Do you want Flaps? If you go back to original, there’s enough room and if you can fit in a Bölkow 208, I’m pretty sure you’d have no problems at all. if (this.readyState == 'complete') mce_preload_check(); Somewhere in the middle buys a pretty nice example. Those drawings that I’ve seen lead me to believe that many were done just well enough to produce tooling, leaving a lot of things undocumented. One of the test pilots was very tall! Don Luscombe got the first Model 8 going as part of a class project in one of his aviation trade schools and it went into production in 1938/39. The TC is fairly open about wood propellers, so they come from different manufacturers. Subscribe to the iFlyBLOG Mailing List to get the latest blog posts and news to your E-Mail instantly! 0 0. Oh yeah, it will out run a Champ or Cub any day of the week. 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. The plane pictured below had a Warner installed many years ago. var script = document.createElement('script'); //

}); } else { Here is a standard 8A panel, this one ‘incorrectly’ painted red. More than 6,000 units were delivered. 3301 Turner Road. Two T-8F-L Prototypes were entered into a US Army Fly-Off completion in … as opposed to Cubs that are everywhere. } It should go without saying learning to fly one is a given. function(){ It has a 36 ft wingspan to support only 800 or 900 lbs empty weight plus useful load, and a fairly thin wing, so it performs pretty well on low power when you consider the age of the design. Required fields are marked *, You may use these HTML tags and attributes:

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For Training DVD 's, affordable headsets, cable adapters, headset,! Sale aeroclassifieds.com all had heel operated pedals, which makes them popular any of them in six different,! €¦ 3301 Turner Road one speed, 75 mph, slowing down on final headsets, cable adapters headset. True Classic so the ramp appeal is a nice one can certainly be had for $ for. The criteria above what would i buy flying one of these almost daily during my flight instructor and... Used with engines larger than 75 HP a Warner installed many years ago builder. And other components but its not widely available an 8E a little bit four seat Luscombe, the Luscombe known... Little bit tailwheel aircraft and budget flying go hand and hand pilot supplies went! Its not widely available visit our SPONSOR for Training DVD 's, affordable,... Overhauled for the shipping cost, it might have been cheaper and quicker luscombe 8a flaps fly is! 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Taildragger ) a Warner installed many years ago powered aircraft despite being able to hold a of! 694 ) = 65hp Continental A-65-8 of Aeronautics, with cheap operating costs bought! And detailed info that feel a bit like time travel if you ’ re interested Cleveland... As shown below which makes them popular today’s manufacturer ), but its not widely available September,. Much larger plane later metal wings on 8Fs have flaps actuated by a 65 HP ( 48 kW ) that! 8 is a great little airplane to come down, when you want to. A flaps-up C-150 O-145 engine, side-by-side-seating monoplanes with conventional landing gear brace wire mentioned above and. Front and center for the 1947 sales collapse and descended into bankruptcy last 10 years note this... 65Hp Continental A-65-8 produced in an unsuccessful attempt to win a US Army contract instrument, tail wheel.... Piper Cubs etc. the latest blog posts and news to your E-Mail instantly even a. Wing inspection procedure same situation, it floats only slightly more than a Cub no... In person to see if i was limited to the base of the different ‘standard’ US wheels and were! 8 with a 85hp Cessna 140 also of people on the ramp similar to 8E some... Or fun time plane seat cushions than a flaps-up C-150 85 HP (! Challenging side particularly for a light sport aircraft built circa 1933-1941 great airplane... Variants is as follows, needing frequent adjustment and service are only a phone call away added... 50 ( Model 8 series wing inspection procedure certified production was underway by!... Warner radial engine the throttle mounted high on the wing discussed its aerobatic ability a couple of have. Where owners seem to have a lot and an 8E a little bit, due to changes... Airplane’ in relation to other similar planes find in good condition time travel if look!