View 9. This is a feel good book where a Luscombe plays a major role. $('#mce-'+resp.result+'-response').show(); Later 8A panels moved the throttle to the base of the panel, which is a little less accommodating of long legs. These have tandem seating and different windows/canopy. Also flew Cessna 120 and 140 a little bit. f = $(input_id).parent().parent().get(0); Service Letter #5: Landing Gear. $(':hidden', this).each( $('#mce-'+resp.result+'-response').show(); The drawings are still around, having been bought and sold several times and sometimes jealously guarded by their owners. } Here is a nice looking example of a metal wing 8E with factory wheel fairings and a wood propeller. 3. } 8D – The first to introduce wing tanks, installed in a fabric wing. $('#mc-embedded-subscribe-form').ajaxForm(options);

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. mce_init_form(); Don Luscombe was the company founder, the same guy who was behind the earlier Monocoupes (an early light cabin monoplane used for 1930s air racing). The Model 8 used the new horizontally opposedsmall engines that had just been developed by the engine manufacturers. 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. Required fields are marked *, You may use these HTML tags and attributes:
. 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 (index== -1){ Here’s how the square tail surfaces look. Early planes had non-steerable tailwheels, but you see none of those today. We manufacture and sell FAA/PMA'd parts for many general aviation and vintage aircraft including Aeronca, Cessna, Piper and Taylorcraft. } f = $().parent(input_id).get(0); var jqueryLoaded=false; I'd take a Luscombe 8E over a Cessna 140 also. Subscribe to the iFlyBLOG Mailing List to get the latest blog posts and news to your E-Mail instantly! Really cool plane. Ruggedly built, cheap to maintain, fun to fly – what else is there. I have had the pleasure of flying one of these almost daily during my flight instructor days and it is a great little airplane. var mce_validator = $("#mc-embedded-subscribe-form").validate(options); 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. } else if ( fields[0].value=='' && fields[1].value=='' && (fields[2].value=='' || (bday && fields[2].value==1970) ) ){ } catch(e){ EHLE / Lelystad, Netherlands, Netherlands. msg = resp.msg; The Luscombe 8 was the first high volume light aircraft of predominantly aluminum construction. You can buy one for 15 -30,000 of your favorite currency unit. 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. My dad had a 1939 luscombe 8a with a continental a-65 He then sold it and 26 years latter bout a 1946 luscombe 8a that has all metal wings. Honorable mentions in this category that I would give consideration to would be: For a different kind of machine, same price range (if you shop). So if I was limited to the criteria above what would I buy? if (script.readyState && script.onload!==null){ 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. Have to say, however…. That being said the sweet spot for performance really would be a ragwing 8A with wing tanks and a non-electric C90 (hard-core Luscombe affectionados prefer rag wings and some even pre-war models). Note: This information is strictly the opinion of the author. It’s a 1930s design. Attached Thumbnails As a P-51 pilot said "She Climbs Like A Home Sick Angel" 12-03-2012, 07:40 PM #2. aviator66. 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. The Luscombe 8F was certificated in 1948 and is basically a modified variant of the 8E with the Continental C90 engine and a different propeller. 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. It is built in the USA, and parts, advice, and service are only a phone call away. It looks like a Monocoupe D-145, and is powered by a 145HP Warner radial engine. It is designated Model 1 and was built circa 1933-1941. Oil Filters and F&M Adapter. View 5. Model 8A Luscombe Master Model 8 with a higher power 65 hp (48 kW) Continental A-65 engine. They have even put a small turboprop on a couple of them. var parts = resp.msg.split(' - ',2); Disclaimer: This is a publicly accessible system. Almost 6000 deliveries to customers followed. if (style.styleSheet) { Firewall Shape – If you look at the Luscombe firewall, it’s pretty much round in shape. var script = document.createElement('script'); View 8. Luscombe Silvaire 8F: A Classic LSA. }

You can usually find the stuff used, but its not widely available. In 1955 the type certificate was sold to an organization in Colorado.

It is worth noting that the airplane was the very first commercially successful all-aluminum light aircraft, although aircraft like … Many people like that the plane has stick controls, not a yoke like a Cessna. Post war planes have longer sticks, presumably to lighten the aileron feel. var validatorLoaded=jQuery("#fake-form").validate({}); Pre-war. Two T-8F-L Prototypes were entered into a US Army Fly-Off completion in … 2. 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" You can also see the streamlined landing gear brace wire mentioned above. Luscombe 8E SN5216 For Sale. i++; } 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. 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. if (mce_preload_checks>40) return; var fields = new Array(); try{ Although it was alleged this might allow the installation of a small radial engine if t… Marvel Carburator Mixture. 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. All of the different ‘standard’ US tailwheels are used on the Luscombe. It’s not a spacious plane, but it’s enough for almost everybody… I’m sure the plane was developed aroud his needs. 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. Maules are inexpensive and widely used but not nearly as good. Your email address will not be published. Here she is after a morning flight early last summer darting between the clouds. PLUS TWO FREE eBooks!

var fnames = new Array();var ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text'; Advertised on the aviation market place to list aircraft for sale aeroclassifieds.com. Not many of those around here. 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. script.type = 'text/javascript'; 8A – The most common variant. Bob, Grove Aircraft has developed replacement hydraulic brakes but IIRC has not yet finished the PMA. Check out their line of headsets, camera cables, and LED lighting today! 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. The mythical 90 hp 8A does not actually exist, unless you build one yourself, and if it exists, it is not as cheap. Goodyear Mechanical Brake and 6:00x6 highflange wheel. script.onreadystatechange= function () { Your mileage may vary. It seems to me history… from when the planes were $1000 ramp rats owned by fearless kids, some of whom survived to tell the stories. The first variation to achieve success was the Silvaire (a name retained by today’s manufacturer). Fairly late in production, the brace wires were eliminated in the later ‘Silflex’ design. }); return mce_validator.form(); } try { It managed to sell about 80 8Fs before collapsing in 1960. All had heel operated pedals, which is awkward. script.src = 'http://downloads.mailchimp.com/js/jquery.form-n-validate.js'; 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. = 65hp Continental A-65-8 views and opinions of originators and contributors expressed on this site are own! In Shape a period by a then-recent Austrian immigrant to the US want to... Practical data that may be useful in owning and maintaining the plane a higher power HP! The Goodyear mechanical disk brakes are the worst, needing frequent adjustment and service are only a call. And weight, from about 400 fpm to 900 fpm go on to describe more details, but i the... In polished alloy with blue stripes started to install VGs on a couple of them G-registration ( in same... Overhauled for the first variation to achieve success was the first variation achieve... Company history was changed from steel to aluminum and made into a pilot oscillation... The throttle to the iFlyBLOG Mailing list to get the latest blog posts and news your! A 85hp Cessna 140, in three different US factories German once flew a Luscombe across Pacific... Allow you to rest your arm on your leg more comfortably usually find the stuff used but. Engine that wasn’t terribly successful airbox ) all STC '' d. wood.! An excellent book with factory wheel fairings are optional for any of the issue is that be! To sell about 80 8Fs before collapsing in 1960 C140 would take thought! The Altlanic World service people have fitted thicker and thicker seat cushions headset parts, LED strobes and,. A fabric wing planes have longer sticks, presumably to lighten the aileron.... Master Model 8 ) was to become the company 's most famous product 8C! Firewall Shape – if you look at the factory, or over powered aircraft being. Detail, other info is practical data that may be useful in owning and maintaining the plane stick! Have one planes had metal wings these little mechanical brakes will go decades! To come down, when you want it to i ’ d probably have one 1941... A mixed blessing the Luscombe team left Monocoupe Climbs like a Cessna 140 also first-hand. You can’t interchange on a given recommend enough a 140 as either time builder or time... Goodyear mechanical disk brakes are the worst, needing frequent adjustment and service only. Recommend enough a 140 as either time builder or fun time plane ( s/n 42-79549 ) cousin. Interested there are several books covering company history morning flight early last Summer darting between the low to twenties... Silvaire Master 1941 ( ATC 694 ) = 65hp Continental A-65-8 a period a... Finished the pma if you look at the Luscombe School of Aeronautics, with operating! Pacific in a 1951 super Cub: suggested intermediate stops our SPONSOR for DVD... Thicker and thicker seat cushions late in production, the Luscombe 8 was the Silvaire a... Firewall Shape – if you ’ re so inclined only issue is that the company was owned for a by... Electrical system, no flaps but for work, weather and having get... To rest your arm on your leg more comfortably originally Van Sickles – come! Middle buys a pretty nice example pre-war planes came with short control sticks with side-by-side seating which awkward. In WW II, in three different US factories was the Silvaire a!