Luscombes to Oaksey Park 2010  Luscombe UK Tour 2021

European Luscombes 80th Birthday Rally Oaksey Park Airfield June 26 to 28, 2026

The 80th anniversary of the classic Luscombe Silvaire was celebrated with a major fly-in at Oaksey Park Airfield. Organised by Luscombe pilot and enthusiast Nigel Barratt, the event celebrated the enduring design legacy of Donald A. Luscombe, who founded the Luscombe Aircraft Company in 1933. An impressive 22 Luscombes attended, with many pilots and crew camping overnight beside their beloved aircraft. Oaksey Park Airfield is a privately owned grass airfield in the Cotswolds near Malmesbury. It features a well-maintained 1,014 meter runway, a clubhouse, aviation fuel, on-site maintenance specialists, and provides a unique and scenic base for general aviation. The Luscombe 8 is a series of high-wing, side-by-side, two-seat monoplanes with conventional landing gear, designed in 1937 and originally built by Luscombe Aircraft. After producing 5,743 Model 8 aircraft, Luscombe Aircraft ceased operations in 1949 and its assets were acquired by Temco Aircraft. Temco built around 50 aircraft, marketed as the Silvaire, in Dallas, Texas, before selling the type certificate, tooling and remaining assets to the Silvaire Aircraft Corporation in 1955. The new company was founded by Otis Massey, a Luscombe dealer since the 1930s, and established in Fort Collins, Colorado, as Silvaire Uranium and Aircraft Corp, later renamed Silvaire Aircraft Corp. Between 1956 and 1960, the company produced a further 80 aircraft, all designated the Silvaire 8F. The final aircraft was completed on May 17, 1960, bringing production of the Luscombe 8 family to a close. The Luscombe 8A Silvaire was a development of the Model 8, powered by a 65 hp Continental A-65 engine. The Luscombe 8E Silvaire Deluxe and the standard 8E shared the same basic airframe and were powered by an 85 hp Continental C-85-12 engine. The "Deluxe" designation referred to an upgraded trim package that included a full electrical system with a starter, generator and battery. The principal differences between the Luscombe 8E and 8F Silvaire were engine power, fuel capacity and maximum gross weight. The 8F was fitted with a 90 hp engine, had a higher maximum gross weight and featured dual wing fuel tanks.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire Deluxe (G-AJKB also has N71631) from 1946.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-LUSC) from 1946.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BRUG) from 1946. Luscombe 8F Silvaire (G-LUSK) from 1947.

Left to right: Luscombe 8F Silvaire Observer (G-LUSI) from 1951. Luscombe 8A Silvaire (G-AGMI) from 1941. Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BPVZ) from 1946.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BROO) from 1948.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire Delux (G-BSHH) from 1946.

Left to right: Luscombe 8F Silvaire (G-AFYD) from 1939. Luscombe 8A Silvaire (G-BSTX) from 1946.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire Delux (G-KENM) from 1946.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BTCJ) from 1941.

Left to right: Luscombe 8A Silvaire (G-BVEP) from 1940. Luscombe 8A Silvaire (G-BRSW) from 1946.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BRHX) from 1947.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BVGY) from 1947. Luscombe 8A Silvaire (G-BSUD) from 1941.

Left to right: Luscombe 8A Silvaire (G-CCRK) from 1946.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire Delux (G-BTCH) from 1948.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BSSA) from 1946.

Left to right: Luscombe 8E Silvaire (G-BTIJ also has NC2467K) from 1941.

Left to right: Max Holste MH.1521M Broussard (005 '30-QA' registered G-CLLK). Built in 1957 as an MH.1521C (civil demonstrator), it carried the civil registration F-BICX and was largely used for parachuting operations. It was exported to Canada in 2006, registered as C-GRBL, and underwent a major overhaul and avionics update by The Classic Aeroplane Co at Oaksey Park. During this time, it was painted in the French Air Force '30-QA' scheme. Jodel D120 Paris-Nice (G-DIZO) from 1965.

Left to right: Falconar F-9 (G-AYEG) from 1970. Piper L-18C Super Cub (G-BJBK) from 1947. Piper J-3C-65 Cub (G-POOH) built in 1946.