A new tailwheel adventure!

[RyanShort1]

Today I decided to proceed with the purchase of a Luscombe.

It’s a 1939 8A Silvaire and not the shiniest example in its’ current state but airworthy and hopefully will last a few years of flying and TLC before trying to make her prettier slowly.

Also maybe this trip or soon I’ll hit 1K Tailwheel logged!

 

[AKBill]

Congrats, I have been considering a tail wheel for a bit. If you don't mind what was your cost to get into the Luscombe?

 

[RyanShort1]

Congrats, I have been considering a tail wheel for a bit. If you don't mind what was your cost to get into the Luscombe?

So far - at least $2500 more than the asking price and I’m not home yet.

 

[AKBill]

So far - at least $2500 more than the asking price and I’m not home yet.

Hope it all works out for you, enjoy..

 

[fasteddie]

Needs a cockpit pic!

 

[Daleandee]

You did good! I've only been in a Luscombe once but was quite impressed with the handling characteristics. It was a '46 model with an 85 hp on the nose.

 

[RyanShort1]

Made it right at sunset...

 

[GRG55]

Congrats! Here's to many interesting adventures in it.

 

[RyanShort1]

All of the tie-down spots seemed to have been taken so I walked into town last night and picked up straps and anchors from Walmart so I could tie her down. Reckon that’s going to be a semi-permanent part of the plane’s “kit”.

I was very pleasantly surprised to also discover a real sleeping room and cot at the airport so I decided to “splurge” on a couple of items at Wally-world (since I didn’t have to pay for a hotel) that I’d been thinking of getting anyway that will make future adventures easier.

The place looked great here at dawn!

 

[RyanShort1]

Fueled up and headed south for Tahlequah,OK!

 

[RyanShort1]

Made Tahlequah after a tiny deviation to say I flew over the corner of Arkansas where I had a nice 9kt direct crosswind but was able to set her down. Not sure if it was really a courtesy car but some guys handed me a set of keys and I’m at a chicken place and then headed back to the airport to make a beeline for Texas!

Three states in view

Setting up to land

On the ramp.

Next planned stop - F46 Rockwall, TX for fuel since it sounds like Lancaster is closed.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Looks great Ryan! I have always wanted to fly a Luscombe. I understand that they are noticeably more challenging than a 140. You’re bringing it home. I’m pretty sure they were built in Garland.

Are you making it to Rockwall this evening or did some pop ups interrupt your progress?

 

[Arnold]

All of the tie-down spots seemed to have been taken so I walked into town last night and picked up straps and anchors from Walmart so I could tie her down. Reckon that’s going to be a semi-permanent part of the plane’s “kit”.

I was very pleasantly surprised to also discover a real sleeping room and cot at the airport so I decided to “splurge” on a couple of items at Wally-world (since I didn’t have to pay for a hotel) that I’d been thinking of getting anyway that will make future adventures easier.

The place looked great here at dawn!

I Carry tie down straps and ropes with stakes. Does it still have the A-65 engine?

 

[AggieMike88]

Hope you made it down and safe before the 50 knots gust front passed through

 

[RyanShort1]

Hope you made it down and safe before the 50 knots gust front passed through

I’d bet they were closer to 60. I went back with better (I hope) straps and got 100% soaked UNDER the hail shed!

Not ideal circumstances for it’s first night in Texas!

More later after I get a bite and dry off!

 

[RyanShort1]

I Carry tie down straps and ropes with stakes. Does it still have the A-65 engine?

Yeah, it needed an overnight kit anyway, so might as well get it done. I almost brought that along but was trying to not overpack (I did anyway)
Yes, she still has an A65 and I plan on keeping her that way.

 

[RyanShort1]

Looks great Ryan! I have always wanted to fly a Luscombe. I understand that they are noticeably more challenging than a 140. You’re bringing it home. I’m pretty sure they were built in Garland.

Are you making it to Rockwall this evening or did some pop ups interrupt your progress?

All the Garland birds were post-war builds. This one is ‘39 pre-war and still has pre-war wings! Regrettably the logbooks before 1945 aren’t there and apparently there were four of them and the plane had something like 1400 hours before 1945! I wonder if it was used as a trainer and if any military aviators cut their teeth in her! If only she could tell the stories! I will be looking for any information on her 1939-1945 years with great interest.

 

[Arnold]

I see you still have the original fuel tank. I have a '46 8A with the A-65 engine (not original). Mine has 12.5 gal tank times 2. 5+30 endurance. This is a great group with reliable historical info: groups.io/g/Luscombe-Silvaire.

 

[Arnold]

I’d bet they were closer to 60. I went back with better (I hope) straps and got 100% soaked UNDER the hail shed!

Not ideal circumstances for it’s first night in Texas!

More later after I get a bite and dry off!

That is a great pic!

A wall of sound and water
the rain did not stop
no flying

 

[Howard Wilson]

You can request any records that the FAA has for your bird. There would be history of registered owners and 337's. Some of the records will be hard to read. I think that they are copying off of old microfiche.

 

[RyanShort1]

You can request any records that the FAA has for your bird. There would be history of registered owners and 337's. Some of the records will be hard to read. I think that they are copying off of old microfiche.

Yeah I already tried to do that but last night their server was down.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Wow! It really looks great in that picture Ryan! Are you home now?

So, where were the built in the prewar period?

 

[RyanShort1]

She looks better from 20 feet away, but Lord willing I'll do my best to take good care of her and restore her a bit, too.

They were originally built in Trenton, New Jersey - which doesn't bother me with the events that took there back in the 1700s!

 

[Huckster79]

Congrats!!! That’s awesome!