Luton Buzzard

Buzzard

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

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

1 History
2 Variants
3 Specifications (Buzzard II)
4 Notes
5 References
6 External links
7 See also

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)

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 21 ft 6 in ()
Wingspan: 35 ft 6 in ()
Height: ()
Empty weight: 400 lb ()
Max takeoff weight: 600 lb ()
Powerplant: 1 × Anzani inverted twin, 35hp ()

Performance

Maximum speed: 95 mph
Range: 180 miles ()

Notes

^ ^a ^b Jackson, 1974

References

Jackson, A.J. (1974). British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3. London: Putnam. ISBN 0 370 10014 X.

External links

Flight, 13 August 1936, p. 190