Luton Buzzard

Buzzard
Buzzard
	Luton Buzzard (G-ADYX), Barton-in-the-Clay, August 1936
General information
Type	Ultralight
Manufacturer	Luton Aircraft Limited
Designer	C.H. Latimer-Needham
Number built	1
History
First flight	1936

The Luton Buzzard was a 1930s British single-seat, open cockpit ultralight aircraft built by Luton Aircraft Limited.

History

The Buzzard was a single-seat ultralight of wooden construction, fitted with split flaps and an all-flying tailplane, and powered by a 35 hp Anzani inverted Vee air-cooled engine. The Buzzard was designed by C.H. Latimer-Needham, and built by Luton Aircraft at Barton-in-the-Clay, Bedfordshire in 1936. The only Buzzard, registered G-ADYX and designated the Buzzard I first flew in 1936. On 16 November 1936, it was damaged during landing at Christchurch, Hampshire.^[1]

In 1937, it was rebuilt as the Buzzard II with short-span wings, enclosed cockpit and an orthodox tailplane. On 8 May 1938, it was damaged beyond repair while being demonstrated at a Royal Aeronautical Society 'garden party' at Great West Aerodrome. In 1943, the aircraft remains were destroyed when the company's Phoenix Works at Gerrards Cross burnt down.^[1]

Variants

Buzzard I: Prototype open cockpit ultralight, one built.
Buzzard II: Buzzard I rebuilt with enclosed cockpit and other modifications.

Specifications (Buzzard II)

Data from British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3,^[1] Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938^[2]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)
Width: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) wings detached
Height: 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Empty weight: 400 lb (181 kg)
Gross weight: 620 lb (281 kg)
Fuel capacity: 5 imp gal (6 US gal; 23 L) fuel tank behind the cockpit
Powerplant: 1 × British Anzani 35hp V-2 inverted air-cooled piston engine, 35 hp (26 kW)
Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch pusher propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 95 mph (153 km/h, 83 kn)
Cruise speed: 81 mph (130 km/h, 70 kn)
Stall speed: 30 mph (48 km/h, 26 kn)
Range: 180 mi (290 km, 160 nmi) ^{[citation needed]}
Endurance: 4 hours
Rate of climb: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3. London: Putnam. p. 261. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.
^ Grey, C.G.; Bridgman, Leonard, eds. (1938). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 53c.

[jackson-1] Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3. London: Putnam. p. 261. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.

[JAWA1938-2] Grey, C.G.; Bridgman, Leonard, eds. (1938). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 53c.

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