“Luscombe 8”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

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.

Background

The Luscombe Aircraft Corporation was re-formed as a New Jersey company in 1937, and a new design was begun. The Luscombe 50 (Model 8) was to become the company's most famous product. The Model 8 used the new horizontally opposed small engines that had just been developed by the engine manufacturers. The aircraft was designed with a round firewall to minimize frontal area and simplify construction. Although it was alleged this might allow the installation of a small radial engine if the flat four did not work, none of the original design engineers recall that being a design consideration.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

The Model 8 followed in the Luscombe tradition of using no wood in the construction, and had a monocoque fuselage with fabric-covered metal wings. For a cheap, light aircraft, this was a revolutionary construction technique. Its competitors were built of fabric-covered steel tubing, with wooden spars and sometimes ribs in the fabric-covered wings. Luscombe's construction techniques allowed him to build his aircraft quickly and cheaply, without sacrificing strength. His aircraft were also more efficient than his competitors, cruising 10–20 mph faster on the same power.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

The new Luscombe sold well, and soon the factory made changes to the design. Continental had upgraded the A-50 engine to the A-65 engine of 65 horsepower (48 kW). Luscombe quickly certified this engine on the Model 8, and began producing it as the Model 8A. In 1938 and 1939, personality conflicts arose within the company, and Don Luscombe was forced out of the company in a proxy battle. Many employees left at this time.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

March 1940 saw the introduction of another version of the Model 8, the 8B. This aircraft was powered by a Lycoming O-145-B3 65 horsepower (48 kW) engine. A month later, the company developed the deluxe model 8C, powered by a Continental A-75-8J engine. The interior was finished with maroon cloth and tan leather upholstery, with a shock-mounted section in the instrument panel. The deluxe model was named the Silvaire, (in a contest){{Clarify|date=January 2012}} and was sold with full-color advertising.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

With war raging in Europe, stocks of aluminum began to be rationed. Since the Model 8 was widely used in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, Luscombe was able to maintain production and get a reasonable allotment of aluminum. To ensure future allotments and increase its share of the CPTP market, Luscombe developed the model 8D. The instrument panel was changed so that it could be equipped with the necessary instruments for instrument flight and training, and so that radios could be installed easily. The 8D used the same 75 hp (56 kW) Continental engine as the 8C, but the {{convert|14|USgal|l|adj=on}} fuselage tank was replaced by two {{convert|11.5|USgal|l|adj=on}} wing tanks (designed by Carl Frey) for greater range.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

The man who had forced Don Luscombe out of the company was an Austrian named Leopold Klotz. The government considered him to be an enemy alien, which led to a government takeover over during World War II, and its facilities produced military aircraft sub-assemblies. Luscombe Aircraft performed subcontract work for other manufacturers during the war. In 1944, the Vested Claims Committee ruled that Klotz was a resident neutral rather than an enemy alien, and his Luscombe holdings were restored to him.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

Dallas, Texas

During the war, Luscombe Aircraft moved from Trenton, New Jersey, to Dallas, Texas. In anticipation of the postwar aircraft boom, and to fulfill existing military contracts, Luscombe established a large factory. It was re-tooled with new jigs capable of higher production volume than the prewar factory. Due to several factors, including a fire at one plant that destroyed most of their stock of cushions and upholstery, production in the latter part of 1945 was limited. The aircraft was redesigned to facilitate modular construction of the fuselage.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

Early in 1946, Luscombe redesigned the wing to an all-metal monocoque design, eliminating fabric covering and simplifying construction.^[2] The company also produced a prototype of a single-place low-wing design, the Model 10. This was not produced, since the single-seat aircraft market was considered too small.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

The Model 8 was upgraded again in June, producing the 8E. This aircraft had an 85-horsepower (63 kW) engine, and the fuselage tank was replaced by two 12.5-gallon (47 l) wing tanks. This made space for rear windows and a "hat throw" (shelf) in the space formerly occupied by the fuel tank. For a while, both all-metal and fabric-covered wing Luscombes were produced before the fabric-covered wing was phased out (use of old stock) in favor of the all-metal design.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

Further changes to simplify construction of the model 8 vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer were implemented in 1947. These were alleged to save several hundred man-hours in the construction of the airplanes.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

The Air Force, in 1947, released a specification calling for an 85 hp (63 kW), high-wing tandem-seat aircraft to use as a liaison aircraft for Army ground forces. The proposal required an aircraft that was currently produced, so Luscombe converted a model 8E to a tandem configuration. This passed the military tests, but lost to the entry from Aeronca, who quoted a low price less than $1700 per aircraft. Luscombe obtained a type certificate for the T8F, in anticipation of future off-the-shelf buys by the military. The later, modified specification excluded Luscombe with several changes to the procurement, and resulted in the Air Force buying the Cessna L-19 Bird Dog.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

The final simplification of the Luscombe 8 design was the introduction in 1948 of the Silflex landing gear. This was a cantilever tubular-steel gear attached to a spring-oleo unit. It was four inches (102 mm) wider than the original wire-braced gear, simpler to manufacture, and stronger in side-load. It reduced the incidence of ground-looping Ground loop (aviation), and was less prone to damage when ground loops occurred. While the gear usually survived ground incidents, its strength often resulted in fuselage damage at the attachments, which was difficult to repair without jigging.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

The last major upgrade to the Silvaire came in 1948. The Model 8F was introduced in January using a 90 hp (67 kW) Continental engine. The tandem aircraft was simultaneously upgraded to produce the T8F model. Sales were weak, and the company was failing. In December, its major suppliers put Luscombe on a COD basis.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

The company closed in 1949, with its assets purchased by Temco Aircraft, also Dallas-based.^[3] Temco built about 50 Silvaires before selling the rights to the Silvaire Aircraft Corporation in 1955.^[4]

After bankruptcy, the assets were purchased by a major Luscombe dealer and a new venture opened in Fort Collins, Colorado, as "Silvaire Aircraft and Uranium Corp". From 1958 to 1961, this firm produced some 83 aircraft labeled Silvaire. Many of these were constructed from spares or MRB parts that were serviceable, but remaining from prior production.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

A Federal Aviation Administration certification audit determined that continued production required a complete revision to the engineering drawings, specifications, and processes which had expired or were superseded. This would be a comprehensive and expensive process. The FAA required a new production management team of their choosing to oversee the project.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

Senior management analyzed the findings and costs anticipated to prepare for future production of the aircraft in 1960. They determined that the limited market and the required changes were not economically feasible, so they closed the company and delivered the assets to a receiver who sold the production materials.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

Several attempts to revive production have failed due to the high engineering and production costs involved, long lead times, missing drawings, old processes and tools, and a limited marketplace for an airplane that does not accommodate average-sized persons (2006). None of the production revivals have succeeded. Although the aircraft has a passionate following, it is eclectic, and many more marketable and cost-effective product options now exist which render the successful revival of this 60-year-old design unlikely.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

In 1994, the Don Luscombe Aviation History Foundation (DLAHF) acquired the Approved Type Certificate (ATC 694) for the Luscombe aircraft. This was in turn transferred to The Luscombe Endowment in 1999-2001.{{Citation needed|date=March 2017}}

Chandler, Arizona

After many years of being out of production, a group of enthusiasts purchased the type certificate with the intent of producing parts and providing technical support to the existing fleet. This led to the creation of the Don Luscombe Aviation History Foundation. Throughout the years this foundation offered parts support and major restoration abilities. One proposal was to market Luscombe aircraft as a kit plane. FAA inquiries showed some problems that might make this difficult, but not insurmountable. After one of the investors backed out, the project was abandoned. The Luscombe Foundation continued to manufacture and sell parts and service to current Luscombe owners to finance the TC purchase.

Not only were the owners of Luscombe aircraft being supported, local aircraft mechanic students and others interested in learning the art of aircraft manufacturing and maintenance were taught the tools of a dying trade. Many young people passed through this internship, some progressing on to other related fields such as aerospace engineering.

These services continued from 1993-through 2004, revitalized in 2005 by the Luscombe Endowment.

As has been the case with this historic aircraft, once again it brought financial ruin to many involved. Renaissance Aircraft & John Dearden obtained a right to produce aircraft under license Agreement in 1996. Under that agreement, Renaissance was to upgrade the engineering defects that brought about the demise of the company in 1961, and to obtain an FAA production certificate. They did not do either, resulting in a disputed agreement over the rights to produce the aircraft. Disputes continue, the case is pending in Georgia, Missouri, Arizona, and California.

The type certificate of the aircraft has changed hands, though there is litigation proceeding through the system. The current holder is alleged to be Team Luscombe, though Court Orders state "Renaissance Aircraft", and the actual production and marketing are done by a third company, "Luscombe Silvaire". This is the second or third attempt to market the aircraft by Dearden. The first attempt did not yield any deliveries, while the second yielded just one delivery to an associate.

Gilbert, Arizona

In 2005, the existing fleet service and support functions were reinstituted and expanded by the Luscombe Endowment, Inc, an IRS 501 (C)3 organization headed by Doug Combs, who had originally established the Luscombe Foundation. Combs and his staff of affiliates provide technical advice and NOS, FAA PMA, and used parts to owners of Luscombe airplanes.

Famous owners

Variants

Specifications (Silvaire 8-F)

|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=128
|max speed kts=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=120
|cruise speed kts=
|stall speed mph=40
|stall speed note=(flaps down)
|range km=
|range miles=500
|range nmi=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=17000
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=900
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}

Sub-Model T8F has tandem seating but is generally similar in dimension, Sprayer version approved for Restricted category operations can have higher Gross Weight with operational limits.