Luscombe group - European Rally

Luscombe pilots soldier on 

THE European Luscombe Rally, held at Oaksey Park in August defeated poor weather and proved to be another top event for the group.

Organiser Nige Barratt told LOOP, "We were greeted at Oaksey Park with dull, low overcast and drizzly conditions, which were to continue well into the early afternoon on the Saturday.

"This resulted in nine verbal cancellations. However, as the conditions gradually improved, a slow trickle of Luscombes including one from Holland, battled their way through. Bringing numbers to a very respectable 22 at the end of the first day."
He added, "Built of strong stuff these Luscombe pilots!"

The spot-landing competition was won by Simon and Paddy in G-BSNT while the flour-bomb dropping award went to Keith Old in G-BSSA.

The furthest flown Luscombe Shield was awarded to Pete Bush from Kinloss, who flew in a beautifully restored Luscombe (G-BROO), in 'Red Arrows' red.

Best overall Luscombe was Cliff Lovell's rare natural metal finish model 8C, G-BTCJ. The oldest Luscombe shield was awarded to John Iliffe with his 1939 Luscombe, G-AFYD. Most original Luscombe shield was awarded to Adriaan Brouwer in N9945C who flew in from Holland.

Brilliant sunshine on the Sunday morning enticed a further six Luscombes, bringing the total to 38, equalling the figure for the 2005 Rally.

"With all those who attended wishing to return in 2007 - including the nine that cancelled - I expect the figure next year to reach close to 40, weather providing!" Nige said.

W: www.europeanluscombes.org.uk
 

WORDS Kirsten Corrigan