European Federation Historic Aviation

I have just received an email from Harry Haas requesting support for your excellent website and a very good cause.

I was in Harry's similar postion back in 2005 when I decided that our Luscombe fraternity needed a stronger infrastructure and website forum support as the rules regarding the operation and maintenance were worryingly weak as we moved closer to Europe with the advent of JAR and JAA. Although you are not supporting one classic/vintage a/c type specificaly, you are, in principle, doing the same thing and well done to you all!

For those of you not familiar with the Luscombe, please have a look at our website address http://www.europeanluscombes.org.uk and I think you'll find it busy! I'm sure Harry and you all will make this website a great success..

The Luscombe is a two seater, high winged, tailwheel a/c powered by an A65,C-85 or C-90. Built between 1937 -around 1954, but interrupted by the 2nd world war. I started with one member, myself, and we now enjoy supporting and 'chatting' to 200 members, not only in Europe, but in Argentina, Bermuda, Brazil, the United States and Canada. We are 'observed' by many many more.

We enjoy a yearly Luscombe Rally BBQ and also a Tour of England landing on farm strips and night stopping for a beer. The Luscombe fratenity, due to hard work, is now very much recognised by our CAA as a training organisation and consequently we are in a strong position in being recognised by EASA through the hard work of EFLEVA. I believe this is what the Dutch want and I'm sure your website will be a major help in this goal.

I wish you all every success in Holland and by fighting together, in Europe, we can influence EASA in protecting our Classic and Vintage aircraft.

Nigel Barratt. Chairman, European Luscombes. {G-BRUG}

Hallo Nigel,

What a great picture of your Luscombe! In Holland there is a Luscombe at Lelystad Airport with the Early Birds foundation. I do not know if they belong to your organization! If you have good pictures you can send them to the EFHA so they can put them on the photo gallery. www.vroegevogels.org will take you to the Dutch Luscombe.

greetings,

Mieke

Hi Mieke,

It may belong to Adriaan Brouwer, N9945C and, yes, he and his son have visited us with his lovely Luscombe to a beautiful airfield called Oaksey Park in Wiltshire, South England before,to our yearly Luscombe rally in August to which you are all invited!

This photo you see is on this occasion is when displaying at this very place. This is a 1946 Luscombe 8E.

As time moves along, we will add photos to your gallery. I hope we see some of yours!

What are you flying open cockpit?

nigel.

Hi Nigel and Mieke,

As far as my records go, we have two Luscombes in the Netherlands:
PH-LUS, a Luscombe 8A, owned by the Early Birds Foundation at Lelystad Airport, and
N9945C, a Luscombe 8F (one of the very last ones), indeed owned by Adriaan Brouwer and based at Seppe.

I know Adriaan flies his machine regularly; he has taken me up on a flight with it recently. Great little machine and very responsive! We had a great time with it.
I'm not so sure about the Early Birds one though, as I rarely if ever see it flying.

Nigel, I'll put the "Luscombe and friends tour" and the "Luscombe rally" in our events section as a heads-up for interested aviators and enthusiasts.

Cheers,
Herbert

Hello Herbert,

I hope you and others can join us at some stage, perhaps with Adriaan, at one of our many events in the UK? Although the Luscombe and Friends Tour {29th and 30th May} and the European Luscombe rally at Oaksey Park on the 6th/7th and finish morning of the 8th August are the main ones. Busy ones too!

Hope to see you there!

Nigel. European Luscombes.

Hi Nigel,

I must say that it's a very tempting invitation to join you during one of the events. I've already taken a look at what I could find about Oaksey Park airfield, and it looks very much like a fun place. Now, imagining that place adorned with all those Luscombes, sounds like the place to be this summer Especially for a pilot and aviation photographer like me!

I can't promise anything yet, but I'll see if my working schedule leaves time to come to Oaksey Park. I'll definately come back on this!

Cheers,
Herbert