European Luscombe Tour 2006
Lane Farm, Painscastle, Powys
June 10-11, 2006
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| While browsing the internet, I came across an article on the European Luscombes website that immediately caught my eye. Nigel Barratt, a Luscombe pilot and the site’s manager, had organised a weekend tour of some fascinating airfields across England and Wales in June. This was the second such tour, and I had somehow missed the first in 2005. As a photographer and an enthusiast of classic civilian aircraft built before 1960, the chance to photograph these aircraft in such atmospheric settings was an opportunity not to be missed. |
A dozen Luscombe 8s lined up at the farm landing strip Lane Farm, Painscastle on the second day of tour.
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Introduced in 1947, Luscombe’s squared tail units replaced the earlier rounded style—but because tails were interchangeable, some aircraft still wear the original design. Shown here: a 8E with its square tail and a modified 8EF sporting the classic rounded tail. |
The tour was planned to begin at Popham in the south, then head north to White Waltham, North Weald, Old Buckenham and on to Fenland. From there the Luscombe flight would turn west for Leicester and continue to Wellesbourne Mountford for an overnight stop. Early the next morning the tour would resume, visiting Lane Farm, Shobdon, Upfield Farm and Eaglescott, before finishing at Farway Common on Sunday. I later discovered that eighteen vintage aircraft were due to take part, although not all were able to complete the full two day event.
The Luscombe is an aircraft whose clean, modern appearance disguises its true age. Don Luscombe began designing and producing racing aircraft in the late 1920s, starting with the Monocoupe while working with the Monocoupe Aircraft Corporation. He later developed the Phantom in 1934, which remained in production until 1941. In 1939 Don Luscombe lost control of his company and Leopold Klotz took over. The business eventually went bankrupt in 1949, with Silvaire Aircraft assuming control in 1954.
The Luscombe 8 was Don Luscombe’s greatest success, featuring an all-metal fuselage with fabric-covered wings. Production began in 1938 at Trenton, New Jersey, before moving to Dallas, Texas. Early variants included the Model 8 and 8A, produced between 1939 and 1949, followed by the 8B from 1940 to 1941. Development continued with the 8C from 1940 to 1942 and the 8D from 1941 to 1945. Under Leopold Klotz, the 8E was introduced, followed by the 8F in 1948. Production of the 8F Silvaire continued until 1960. In total, around 4,500 Model 8As and 5,500 8Es were built. The Luscombe 11A was produced from 1946 to 1949, evolving into the 11E, which remains in production today.
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Lane Farm, Painscastle, Powys
With diary and map in hand, I studied the airfield locations in detail. Nigel’s European Luscombe website provided useful links to each airfield and landing strip, originally intended to assist the pilots but equally valuable in helping me plan my visit. I was familiar with most of the larger airfields and quickly ruled them out; their size and the presence of modern aircraft would likely spoil the “Luscombe effect” I was hoping to capture.
Lane Farm immediately caught my attention. Situated in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons in South Wales, about four miles north of the charming book town of Hay-on-Wye, it is exactly what its name suggests — a farm landing strip set in beautiful countryside. A visit to the Lane Farm website confirmed the picturesque setting, and my decision was made. A brief email to the owners, John and Evelyn Bally, confirmed that I would be very welcome.
On the day, I met Evelyn, who was indeed friendly and helpful — though she did warn me not to get too close to their herd of deer, who at that time of year were likely to take exception to my presence.
The first arrival, about twenty minutes late, was Luscombe 8A G-BUKT. When I greeted the pilot, he explained that he had flown in directly from Sleap in Shropshire and had not taken part in the Saturday tour. Together we waited another twenty minutes before the welcome sight of eleven more Luscombes appearing from the east. Nige was flying the lead aircraft, and by this time several deer were wandering across the landing field. With determined swoops and a series of extremely low passes, he successfully encouraged them to move aside. Soon, all the remaining Luscombe pilots on the tour were safely on the ground, enjoying Evelyn’s well-earned tea and biscuits. |
| Left to right: First to arrive from Sleap Luscombe 8A (G-BUKT) followed by Nige Barratt in Luscombe 8E (G-BRUG) flying low over landing strip to 'encourage deer to stop grazing on runway (Note Lane farm is in the background). Luscombe 8A (G-EITE). |
| Left to right: Luscombes 8A (G-AGMI), 8A (G-AFZN) and 8E (G-AKUI). |
| Left to right: Luscombes 8EF (G-KENM), 8E (G-BRUG) on the ground while another is on the approach, 8E (G-BSSA) taxi's in to take its place in the extraordinary line up. |
| Left to right: Luscombe 8E (G-BTIJ with NC2467K on tail) with Luscombe 8A Silvaire (G-BULO) arriving. |
| Left to right: Luscombe 8E (G-BUKU) with 8E (G-BTCH). The line-up before starting from the right hand end the Luscombe flying circus begins to to head off to Shobdon. |
| Left to right: Luscombe 8A Silvaire (G-BULO) leads the Luscombe Tour off to Shobdon followed by Luscombe 8A (G-AFZN), 8E (G-AKUI) and 8E (G-BSSA). |
As just a photographer, potentially gate-crashing the party, I was made to feel completely welcome. Nigel had marshalled his team to manoeuvre their aircraft into a perfect line for photographs, capturing the occasion in style.
Running behind schedule, the pilots quickly finished their coffee and were instructed to ‘start your engines’ for the short 15-minute hop to Shobdon. Watching a dozen vintage aircraft take off in quick succession was a sheer delight. Once over the horizon, Lane Farm’s deer were free once more to roam the peaceful South Wales countryside. What a fantastic group of people and what an unforgettable experience. |
| Left to right: The final departures with shutter speeds of 1/60th are Luscombe's 8E (G-BRUG), 8A (G-EITE) and finally first to arrive and and last to leave 8A (G-BUKT). |
| Luscombe 8E G-BRUG arrives with Lane Farm in the background. |
