Luscombe 8E Pilot reps?

Re: Pix

Jim:
Pix has her C85 hung, is on gear. No panel yet, no (functional)prop. Am stalled on sheet metal work, and have to teach myself riveting etc.

Winter is time to do ribs and wings. The Pixie needs a second wing, so she'll wait until Spring for that. 85 needs mags and a decent starter, and a alternator and probably total O/H.

Spent the day making a decent engine mount for the Lusc 85 that has been suspended from a tractor boom a week. Got a nice heavy Eastwood auto engine stand, but had to make a mount.

-pebarker

 

DJ-
Wow, that Luscombe site is superb.

Many thanks.

-pebarker

 

Re: Rivets-repairing sheet metal

Found a thorough and readable discussion of Standard vs Pop rivets here:

All-Metal Aircraft Construction

and

Aircraft Construction, Riveted Joints (Part 2 of 2)

He makes a point of getting Teledyne Avdel rivets from the UK, but not if they were made in Brazil or New York. UK quality suggested to be better.

Is it worth the extra cost?


-pebarker



1404B's C85 on stand today with completion of mount and adapters.

 

Luscombe 8E Port Door

The 8E port door is interesting. Window and door are framed out in 1/2" square tube. Window is 0.080 Plexiglass
(MIL-P-5425 or if craze resistant, MIL-P-8184). Door skin/external window surround is 22G aluminum.

Lower hinge strap is 1/2" x 13G steel to wrap around a AN3-7A bolt. Upper hinge is a 6" x 5/8" strap (15G) welded to top of door frame. Vent is a rotating circular plate outside with an outward flap that can be rotated to forward or aft vent holes.

Classic 8E has handles, but some 8Es were manufactured with sliders as is shown here, such as this 1947 airframe s/n 6031. Note the hole where the door handle should be.

Noted metallic silver-blue primer or undercoat on this red painted frame.

Interior upholstered in brown naugahyde.

 

Re: Luscombe 8E Caliper Brakes

Here are some shots of the caliper (mechanical) brakes on 1947 Luscombe 8E 1404B.

Brake pedals on left seat only, attached by 4 x 7-3/32 cable via
pulleys through gear leg. Drums have a lever on the inboard face that rotates a pin that is flattened between brake shoes.

Pin rotates, shoes move radially against the wheels.

An internal spring keeps shoes together.

Now the question: is there an external spring that counterbalances the internal spring, and if so, what size. A #19 spring fits but may not give correct tension.

Anyone have a manual on these original Luscombe brakes?

-pete

 

A good diagram of your Cleveland mechanical brakes can be found at:

http://luscombe.org/index.php?page=cleveland-mechanical-drum-parts-brake-out

 

DJ:

Thanks.

-peb

 

Replacement Plexi Windows

Anyone have a best method for drilling and cutting 0.080-0.100" plexiglass and lexan?

Unibit seems to work but have some cracking issues (~10% of holes). Cutting edge of plexiglass with dremel saw also works but has to be cleaned up on belt sander. There may be better ideas out there.

Suggestions?

 

I drill acrylic with a small drill bit (3/32) then enlarge the hole with a pointed rotary file in the drill motor. Never cracks, just enlarge the hole from both sides.
BB

 

Re: Replacement Plexi Windows

Plexiglass (acrylic) requires special tools and techniques as others have described. Drill bits ground for acrylics are available and worth the expense. Lexan (polycarbonate) can be worked just like soft aluminum with the same tools. It can even be bent in a brake and tapped for threaded holes with standard taps.

 

Pete, just sent you a couple of e-mails. Let's get together and check out our Luscombes soon.

Kevin
Leesburg, VA

 

My Father might be able to help you. He had a Luscombe 8A since he was 18, then a Luscombe 8E .and I think he has been flying them for over 50 years. He currently flys a Emeraude which I like for the view.

 

I will be in Missouri this month and was wondering if there are any Luscombe or Emeraude owners in the St. Louis area?

 

I would be interested in hearing from anyone involved in 8E restorations with experience, parts and/or advice.
DigBands