Engineering:Lombardi LM.5
The Lombardi LM.5 Aviastar was a two-seat light aircraft produced in Italy[1] shortly after the Second World War, followed by a three-seat version called the LM.7.[2]
LM.5 Design and construction
It was a low wing, cantilever monoplane of conventional design and mixed construction.[3] The main units of the tailwheel undercarriage were retractable, and the cabin was fully enclosed, offering side-by-side seating.[2] The Italian press of the day nicknamed it Topolino dell'Aria[4] ("Little mouse[5] of the air").
Operational history
An LM.5 (registration HB-UEM) was piloted to victory in the 1949 Tour Aerien de Suisse by Walter Spahni.[6] The same year, however, the Lombardi firm ceased business,[2] unable to sell its designs in the post-war marketplace.[4] Only five examples of the LM.5 and two of the LM.7 had been built.[2]
The LM.5 prototype (registered I-PIER, after its designer[2]) was restored by Ali Romantiche at Sandigliano.[7]
LM.7 design and construction
The two Lombardi LM.7 aircraft were completed in 1949 and had a lengthened cabin accommodating two seats in the front with a single rear seat. The starboard and rear seats may be removed for the carriage of light freight.[8] Ali Romantiche has also commenced the restoration of the LM.7 prototype (registration I-TTEN).[7]
Variants
- LM.5 - two-seat version with CNA D or Continental C90 engine
- LM.7 - three-seat version with Praga or Walter Minor engine
Specifications (LM.5)
Data from "Light and Ultra-Light from Italy", 575
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C90 , 67 kW (90 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 194 km/h (121 mph, 105 kn)
- Service ceiling: 5,900 m (19,500 ft)
Notes
- ↑ Taylor 1989, 613
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Simpson 1995, 44
- ↑ "Light and Ultra-Light from Italy", 575
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Lo LM5"
- ↑ Topolino means "little mouse", but is also the Italian name of Mickey Mouse and the nickname of a ubiquitous model of Fiat automobile at the time - see Fiat Topolino
- ↑ "Souvenir of Switzerland", 496 – NB this article incorrectly states that the aircraft was of Czechoslovakian manufacture, apparently confusing Lombardi's pre-war name of AVIA (Azionara Vercellese Industrie Aeronautiche) with the Czechoslovakian aircraft manufacturer Avia. The error was noted in a subsequent edition of Flight (27 October 1949, p. 570).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ali Romantiche "Home"
- ↑ Green, 1965, p.88
References
- Green, William (1965). The Aircraft of the World. Macdonald & Co (Publishers) Ltd.
- "Light and Ultra-Light from Italy". Flight: 575–76. 20 November 1947. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1947/1947%20-%202023.html. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
- "Lo LM5". Ali Romantiche website. http://www.aliromantiche.com/file/LM5.pdf.
- Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing.
- "Souvenir of Switzerland". Flight: 496–97. 13 October 1949. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1949/1949%20-%201732.html. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- Vialardi, Emanuele. "Home". Ali Romantiche website. http://www.aliromantiche.com.
External links
- Ali Romantiche's historical archive on the LM.5 and photo gallery of the restored aircraft
- Ali Romantiche's historical archive on the LM.7 and photo gallery of the restoration underway
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombardi LM.5.
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