Luscombe Model 11 "Silvaire Sedan"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for March, 1948
by Jo Kotula
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The single-seat Luscombe Model 10 was the subject of the September, 1946 cover of Model Airplane News. In 1946, Luscombe introduced the four-place Model 11, designed to specifications produced by the Flying Farmers of America. (Rural origions are suggested in the cover art.) The "Silvaire" was billed as a combined family/business aircraft, capable of carrying four people. With the back seat removed, up to six milk cans could be carried. Eventually, the Flying Farmer market proved to be a myth, so the Model 11 Sedan was finished with a more plush interior to appeal to the businessman. Certification was accomplished in May of 1948.

  

Luscombe Model 11 "Silvaire Sedan"
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The Air Force, in 1947, released a specification calling for an 85-hp, high-wing tandem-seating aircraft to use as a liaison aircraft for Army ground forces. The proposal required an aircraft that was in current production, so Luscombe decided to convert a model 8E to a tandem configuration. This model passed the military tests, but lost out to the entry from Aeronca, who quoted a low price of less than $1700 per airplane. Luscombe obtained a type certificate for the T8E anyway, in anticipation of future off-the-shelf buys by the military. Sales were not strong, however, and the company was failing. In 1949, its major suppliers put Luscombe on a COD basis. More financial problems followed, and the company closed its doors in 1950. Since then, attempts have been made several times to resurrect the company, but none succeeded.

Here is a video of the Luscombe Model 11 "Silvaire Sedan":

Click Here for more information about the Luscombe Model 11 "Silvaire Sedan".

Cleveland Model and Supply made a kit for a large-scale model of the Luscombe Model 11. This kit was very popular with radio-control enthusiasts as it was quite rugged, had lots of room for electronics and good flying characteristics.

  

  

  

Cleveland Model of the Luscombe Model 11 "Silvaire Sedan"
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You can buy the plans and patterns that will enable you to make this model right now. Click Here to go to the exact location on the Cleveland Website to get them.

  

Luscombe Model 11 "Silvaire Sedan" at the Cleveland Site

Our reader Bill from Ohio sent us these photos taken when he was an aspiring pilot. His Dad's Luscombe 8 is in the background.

        

Bill and Dad's Luscombe
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