Luton Major G-ASWH is still registered, so presume it must still have a Permit, although I am unaware of its location or status. Last Major I saw was G-BCKP at the PFA Rally at Wroughton in 1992, but it’s no longer on the register. Last Minor sighting was G-AXGR at Badminton in 1988, although I may have tripped over one in my haste to photograph something more substantial ( no offence to Minors!)

Sadly G-ASWH was deregistered by the CAA in 2001, last heard of in Pontypool in darkest Wales.

Happily G-AXGR is in fine fettle. After selling me G-ASML, Barbara Schlussler did a great job of returning ‘Romeo’ to pristine condition in Linclonshire and has now even persuaded the JAP J99 to bang away on both cylinders at (approximately) the same time.

I gather that all she’s waiting for at the moment is for the PFA to ‘expedite’ their backlog of permit to test applications!

Exactly the question I was about to ask. Are you sure the Bev was about to pile in? They were quite capable of turns like that but their roll rate meant that it took about 3 days to achieve that angle of bank 🙂
This thread has prompted me to ask a few questions
1) How many were built worldwide approx?
2) How many are still flying?
3) Are plans still available?
4) haas anyone thought about trying more modern engines, Rotax, Jabiru etc.?
5) What happened to its big brother the Luton Major?

Hi Mike, back again – well, its Friday afternoon and too windy to fly!

In answer to your questions:

As far as I know there are around 60-70 ‘projects’ world-wide. 46 were registered in the UK of which 30 remain current, although some are clrearly not currently airworthy (like G-AFIR below, sorry Arthur!). There are two registered in the US although one of those is hanging above the security check are in Miami International Airport, there are also flying examples in Australia and New Zealand.

Yes, the plans are still available £70 from the Popular Flying Association. http://www.pfa.org.uk

From memory, these plans are still for the VW-engined LA4A model, but no doubt Mr Donaldson and the team would approve a suitable design mod for a Rotax or Jabiru. I seem to recollect that Arthur Ord-Hume has already sketched out a design for an update!

Sadly there aren’t any two-seat Luton LA-5 Majors airworthy in the UK. Its a pity because they are very pretty aeroplanes, but someone once told me there was an issue over the stressing of wing mountings. It seems there are still flying examples in Switzerland and Australia, which still seem to have a full complement of feathers. Anyone else have any more info?

Thanks Maarvin. Looks like ‘CY gets about a bit!

Thanks Propstrike, but yes I’ve got “Fright on Flailing Wings” thankyou -also “On Hume-Made Wings” too, if you want to borrow it.

Sadly work commitments prevent me from getting over to G-VFWE with the Luton, I’ve given my ‘slot’ back as I gather they’re over-subscribed.

Thanks too, Albert. I think that’s one of the earliest pictures I’ve seen of ‘ML. It an interesting contrast to John DM’s picture from Sywell last year!

Thanks to everyone for the piccies so far. Look forward to seeing any others you might dig out!