First Production Luscombe Model 8, Serial Number 800

Don Luscombe was active in the aircraft manufacturing business for many years prior to producing his signature aircraft, the Luscombe Model 8. In the 1920s Don was an important part of the Monocoupe Aircraft Corporation, defining the Monocoupe look. Then in the 1930s there was the Phantom, followed by a series of aircraft that evolved into the Luscombe 8.

The Phantom -- a classic Luscombe design -- started production in 1934, and continued throught at least 1941. The Phantom in this photo is NC272Y, taken at the old Kansas City Municipal Airport. Fewer than ten of these aircraft still exist in the United States, although over 130 were originally manufactured. Of those remaining, very few are actually flown -- for good reason: word is that these planes are a guaranteed ground loop thanks to the way the gear (more correctly, a shock absorbtion system) is designed.

Many people do not realize that Don Luscombe's vision went beyond the Series 8. There were, for example, concept drawings of a Luscombe Helicopter drawn up in 1943. Apparently conceived as a military offering, the drawings show a helicopter configured as an air ambulance -- complete with a litter strapped on the outside.

The turbulent history of the Luscombe Corporation is well documented. In a nutshell, Model 8 production began in 1938 with the plain Model 8. Over time letters were added to the "8", from "A" thru "F". Production started in Trenton, NJ and eventually moved to Dallas, TX -- well after Don Luscombe lost control of the company to a manipulative financier. The company ceased production and declared bankruptcy in 1949, as the general aviation manufacturing industry collapsed after World War II due to overproduction. Low-volume production continued through 1959 in Fort Collins, CO after the type certificate was purchased from the bankruptcy proceedings. One salient takeaway about the Luscombe's history is that only a small fraction of the total fleet was manufactured while Don Luscombe was in control of the company.

Today the type certificate lives on, although still embroiled in the controversy and legal manuevering. As a Type Club, the Continental Luscombe Association seeks to represent the interest of aircraft owners and pilots (see the separate About the CLA page). In addition, the Model 11E is still in production as a modern tricycle-gear aircraft by the Luscombe Aircraft Corporation (not associated in any way with the issues around the Model 8 type certificate).

President:
Mike Culver

Board Member:
Barry Brocato

Board Member:
Michael Lafrance

Membership:
Ellie Madison

Board Member & Courant Editor:
Mike Culver

president@luscombe-cla.org

barry@luscombe-cla.org

lafrance@luscombe-cla.org

membership@luscombe-cla.org

editor@luscombe-cla.org