Bids For Full Package Open Through December 19

The entire Luscombe 8A Aircraft Corporation manufacturing factory in Jamestown, New York is being auctioned off. Starman Bros Auctions will be accepting bids through December 19 and hosting open houses in the meantime.

Luscombe Aircraft was founded by Donald ‘Don’ Luscombe in 1933. He had already established his reputation as a designer for Mono Aircraft, manufacturer of the speedy Monocoupe series. However, he wanted to develop his own construction method that was lighter, more durable, and cheaper.

That’s exactly what Luscombe went on to do. He developed the Luscombe Model 1 “Phantom,’ a high-wing, two-seat sportplane made almost entirely of metal with a fabric wing cover. This received harsh criticism for being somewhat tricky to land and never became popular, though owners who know them love them.

Don Luscombe continued designing new metal aircraft and eventually swung a home run with the Luscombe 8 Series. Upwards of 5,000 Model 8 airplanes were built until the lasting effects of the Depression forced the company to shut down. Its assets were purchased by Temco, who built around 50 more before selling rights to the Silvaire Aircraft Corporation in 1955. 80 additional aircraft were sold by the time it collapsed in 1960.

The basic Luscombe 8 evolved into the 65 hp 8A, then 8B with a 65 hp Lycoming, and then the C with a very rare, fuel-injected 75 hp. The next variation was the D in 1941. This was successfully marketed to the Civilian Pilot Training Program and was used until around World War II. In the post-war resurgence of general aviation, the 8E and 8F were made with higher-performance engines and electrical systems.

Now, Luscombe’s old Jamestown factory is up for auction. The sale includes shop equipment, hand tools, aircraft jigs, untouched Luscombe 8A-8F parts, avionics, type certificates, prints, and other miscellaneous hardware. Starman Bros, the auction organizer, is hosting an open house for viewing from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm on December 9 to 13. It is located at 3301 Turner Rd in Jamestown, NY on the Jamestown Airport (JHW).

FMI: https://www.proxibid.com/Starman-Bros-Auctions-Inc/COMPLETE-LIQUIDATION-OF-LUSCOMBE-AIRCRAFT-CORP/event-catalog/271616