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Nark

Nark

Macho Superpilot
Saw this on another forum.
speedbir.jpg


http://ronkilber.tripod.com/luscombe/luscombe.htm

@Cptnchia you gotta step up your game.
 
That plane has been around for a long time. Maybe 20+ years. I’ve never seen it fly, but I’ll bet it’s a hoot.
 
Cptnchia said:
Why do something ridiculous like that? The whole point is to fly low and slow.
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Eh, Luscombes were designed to fly fast, that's why they do almost 100 mph on 65 hp, leave it to the Cubs and Champs to go low and slow ;-)
 
Inverted said:
Yes, and they would have to.

Luscombes are not known for their directional control, they are a squarely tailwheel airplane.
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"There are no squirrelly airplanes, just squirrelly pilots" - Curtis Pitts

Luscombes (and Swifts, and Pitts' and others) have a reputation that I've often found unfair. Luscombes simply do what the pilot tells them to do, and quickly (as does a Pitts), as opposed to the more methodical type machines (Champ, Cub, etc). A Luscombe is obedient of the "squirrel" manipulating the controls. That's just my opinion, and admittedly not based on as much experience as many on the forum here have.
 
I agree. Luscombes got a bad rap from pilots used to flying cubs and taylorcrafts. In those planes, step on a rudder pedal, and wait for the nose to move. In a luscombe, merely touching a rudder pedal and the nose moves. It’s like taking a person used to driving a minivan and putting them in a Bugatti. They aren’t used to the responsiveness.
 
Cptnchia said:
I agree. Luscombes got a bad rap from pilots used to flying cubs and taylorcrafts. In those planes, step on a rudder pedal, and wait for the nose to move. In a luscombe, merely touching a rudder pedal and the nose moves. It’s like taking a person used to driving a minivan and putting them in a Bugatti. They aren’t used to the responsiveness.
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I was hoping you'd chime in.

Also, to clarify - I do think there are some squirrelly airplanes. The original Knight Twister was said to be weird. Clipped-wing Monocoupes (110 Specials) have a reputation and history of vicious ground handling no matter the skill of the pilot. Monocoupe D145's were said to be bad - and this was among pilots who had never flown anything but taildraggers. Luscombe Phantoms as well. The Howard DGA-15P (NOT the others - the DGA 11 or other narrow body Howards) have a stupid gear (very soft) and they have significantly worse ground handling than other Howards. In fact, from people who've flown both, the Howard DGA-6 "Mr. Mulligan" replica as produced in Arkansas (Near perfect copy) has way better handling characteristics (ground and air) than the DGA-15P (or any other Howard). So - there are some planes that are "squirrelly" probably but they are few and mostly concentrated in pre-WW2 types.
 
Agreed. Another “issue” with the Luscombe people have is the wing loading. Hence why people clip the wing. The wingspan is 30 feet, the airplane is 22 feet. Get slow and uncoordinated in a base/final turn, and the plane will try and exchange ends.

I like to think of the Luscombe as a superior plane for superior pilots!
 
Cptnchia said:
Agreed. Another “issue” with the Luscombe people have is the wing loading. Hence why people clip the wing. The wingspan is 30 feet, the airplane is 22 feet. Get slow and uncoordinated in a base/final turn, and the plane will try and exchange ends.

I like to think of the Luscombe as a superior plane for superior pilots!
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I always liked Luscombes. My current desire is to build up a Clipped-Cub, but with clipped T-craft wings. A 150HP Lycoming plus clipped T-craft wings on a Cub would make an interesting and fun airplane I think.

I mean, as far as the Luscombe pilots ability and such...there was a girl who flew her long X-country to the Blakesburg fly-in one year in her Luscombe (Her Dad took the Cessna Airmaster). She was 16 at the time. So...I mean...come on! Even a 16 year old GIRL can fly a Luscombe - how hard can it be?! She actually flew it very well - she did a really nice job in that airplane.
 
Superior airmanship isn’t limited to crusty old pilots! Some people are born with it, some struggle to achieve it, like me. :bounce:
 
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