Beautiful, Geoff.

Many thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

Bod – fancy a project after the BE-2 :diablo: ????

Hi Willip.

The only further information I can offer on Luton Major airworthiness is that the PFA has formally classified it as an “abandoned” type and it is no longer classified as an approved design for builders or restorers in the UK.

I believe that one example, HB-YAH was still flying in Switzerland quite recently and certainly EI-CGF was flying in Ireland as recently as 2005. (Pic with thanks to Paul and Gary Loveday of the VAC).

G-BCKP was I beleive the last British-registered example to fly and was later (according to CAA’s G-INFO) shipped to New Zealand.

In Canada and the USA, where different regulations are in force, about half a dozen Majors are flying and a number of others under construction, based on Falconar Aero plans, where it is marketed as the Cub Major.

These apparently have different wing and strut mountings and a relocated front bulkhead to give more cockpit space. According to one owner I’ve spoken with, they still have an issue with tail-light handling on the ground and to fit in weight and balance limits it’s usually flown as a single-seater, flown from the back seat. He though is otherwise delighted with his aeroplane!!

I thought the Baby was stunning…….then I opened the link to the DH61 Giant Moth!! http://www.airwaveyachts.com.au/Aircraft/QANTAS%2017.JPG

Bl**dy stupendous Geoff!! Any chance of some more pictures and the story behind it, maybe as a separate thread when you have the time?

Brilliant, Barrie….why can’t Flypast give you a page or two to fill each month?

Mr. Ellis ?????

Oh no! Christmas Day is the only day of the year which is relatively quiet, although getting busier year after year. It’s the only stress-free day of the year for us, and the lower traffic level allows many more controllers to take leave to be at home.

I have visions of clouds of 150s and Cherokees in the circuit and all us ATCOs tearing our hair out because we don’t know what to do! VFR? What’s that????

Easy. All you do is make Heathrow tower AFIS for the day and keep saying “at your discretion!” 😀

Sad news indeed. His contribution to the development of interest in restoring old aeroplanes on both sides of the Atlantic can’t be underestimated.

If it looks right then it’ll fly right and whilst beauty is in the eye of the beholder the poor old Luton Major has never quite looked right and certainly has never enjoyed the popularity of its little single seat brother.

Was it a weight problem, a powerplant problem or maybe a major structural flaw that caused its lack of success?

Wicked Willip :diablo:

Thanks Willip.

Those pics are pure treasure.

Sadly it appears that two at least, Majors did suffer catastophic failures of their wing structure, both in variants with Continental engines which were a bit heavier than the original Walter Mikron. The jury’s still out as to how “enthusiastically” they were being flown at the time, but the upshot ws the CAA revoked Certificates of Airworthiness in the UK, so if you find one now, its only any good as a garden ornament!

A couple of examples still fly in Canada and one, I believe in Switzerland. They apparently fly like a slightly heavy and rather more cramped J-3 Cub.

Talking of Lutons on lorries. Here’s a pic of G-AWMN earlier this month. En-route back to Essex for some TLC after a carrier-style arrested “landing” with the aid of some Irish telephone wires!! Yes the fuselage IS in two halves 😮

Still no firm news on the Luton Meinherr, but its possible that it was G-ATCN maybe wearing warpaint at Wycombe in the background to Aces High!!

More Minor news as always on http://www.lutonminor.com