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, LM.7 Aviastar | |
|---|---|
| |
| The second of the two LM.7 three-seat light tourers to be completed during 1949 hangared at Milan's Bresso Airport in 1965 | |
| Role | Utility aircraft |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Lombardi |
| Designer | Pieraldo Mortara |
| First flight | 1945 |
| Number built | 7 |
LM.5 Design and construction edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
- 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) edit
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 edit
- ^ Taylor 1989, 613
- ^ a b c d e Simpson 1995, 44
- ^ "Light and Ultra-Light from Italy", 575
- ^ a b "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).
- ^ a b Ali Romantiche "Home"
- ^ Green, 1965, p.88
References edit
- Green, William (1965). The Aircraft of the World. Macdonald & Co (Publishers) Ltd.
- "Light and Ultra-Light from Italy". Flight: 575–76. 20 November 1947. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
- "Lo LM5" (PDF). Ali Romantiche website. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
- Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing.
- "Souvenir of Switzerland". Flight: 496–97. 13 October 1949. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- Vialardi, Emanuele. "Home". Ali Romantiche website. Archived from the original on 2008-09-14. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
External links edit
- 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
