Luton Major

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Use British English|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox aircraft |name = L.A.5 Major |image = Luton Major-1010.jpg |caption = Luton LA.5 Major, 1939 |type = Two-seat cabin monoplane |manufacturer = Homebuilt |designer = C.H. Latimer-Needham |first_flight = 12 March 1939 |introduction = |retired = |produced = |number_built = |status = |unit cost = |primary_user = |more_users = |developed_from = |variants = }} The '''Luton L.A.5 Major''' was a 1930s British two-seat high-wing cabin monoplane. Following World War II, plans were made available to suit construction as a homebuilt aircraft.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Sport Aviation|date=September 1965|title=Major Revival|author=Aithur W. J. G. Ord-Hume}}</ref>

==History== The original '''L.A.5 Major''' was a two-seat light aircraft powered by a 62 hp Walter Mikron II engine. It was designed by C.H. Latimer-Needham, and built in 1939 by Luton Aircraft Limited at its Phoenix Works, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. The prototype (G-AFMU), designated L.A.5 Major, first flew on 12 March 1939. During 1943, the Phoenix Works burnt down, destroying the prototype, and causing the Luton Aircraft company to close.<ref name=jackson>Jackson 1974, p. 261</ref>

After World War II, Phoenix Aircraft Limited, formed by the designer C.H. Latimer-Needham and A.W.J.G. Ord-Hume, took over the design rights for the Luton Major. Latimer-Needham updated the design to make it more suitable for homebuilding, in which form it has become '''L.A.5A Major''', with plans marketed by Falconar Avia of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada as the ''Cubmajor''. An open cockpit version is marketed as the ''Majorette''.<ref name=jackson/><ref>{{cite journal|journal=Air Trails|date=Winter 1971|page=76}}</ref><ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 154. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref>

==Variants== ;L.A.5 Major :Prototype, one built. ;L.A.5A Major :Updated homebuilt version, all homebuilt. ;Falconar Cubmajor :Version marketed in kit and plans form by Falconar Avia<ref name="Aerocrafter" /> ;Falconar Majorette :Version with open cockpit marketed in kit and plans form by Falconar Avia<ref name="Aerocrafter" />

==Specifications (L.A.5)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59<ref name=JAWA58-59>{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1957 |publisher=Jane's All the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd. |location=London |page=96}}</ref> |prime units?=imp  |crew=1 |capacity=1 |length ft=23 |length in=9 |length note= |span ft=35 |span in=2 |span note= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqft=163 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil=RAF 48<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |accessdate=16 April 2019}}</ref> |empty weight lb=600 |empty weight note= |gross weight lb=1030 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity={{cvt|11|impgal|USgal l}} |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Walter Mikron II |eng1 type=4-cylinder air-cooled inverted in-line piston engine |eng1 hp=62 |eng1 note= |prop blade number=2 |prop name= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop dia note=  |max speed mph=105 |max speed note= |cruise speed mph=95 |cruise speed note= |stall speed mph=35 |stall speed note= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed note= |range miles=300 |range note= |endurance= |ceiling ft= |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ftmin=700 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |power/mass= |more performance=

|avionics= }}

==Notes== {{reflist}}

==Bibliography== {{commons category|Luton Major}} *Jackson, A.J. (1974). ''British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3''. Putnam {{ISBN|0-370-10014-X}}

{{Falconar Avia aircraft}}

Category:1930s British civil utility aircraft Category:Homebuilt aircraft Category:High-wing aircraft Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1939

Luton Major

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