S u m m a r y
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Publisher and Title: |
Albatros Productions Datafile
120 The Lepere Lusac-11 |
ISBN: |
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Media: |
Soft cover, A4 format, 86 pages |
Price: |
£25.00
available online from Albatros Productions' website |
Review Type: |
First Read |
Advantages: |
Comprehensive coverage including
scale plans, rare photos, and excellent artwork. |
Disadvantages: |
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Recommendation: |
Recommended |
Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner
HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com
Who would have thought the “Datafile treatment” would be
given to this unusual aircraft?
When the US declared war on the Central Powers, a delegation was sent to
various countries to find the best aircraft and engine designs that
could be built in the United States. The results led to the development
of a George Lepere designed two-seater, capable of being powered by a
450-hp Bugatti motor.
Problems with this engine led to the 400-hp Liberty being used, thus the
original LUSAC-21 became the LUSAC-11.
With only seven completed by 11 November 1918, the Lepere Lusac-11 was
never to prove itself in combat. It had some use in the post war years
however with one machine winning the Liberty Engine Trophy at the
October 1922 National Air Races at Selfridge.
Many examples were later used by air attaches and others became “test
beds”. It achieved fame by attaining several altitude records, these
being done when equipped with a turbo-supercharged engine.
With the war over, the urgency to sort out the aircraft’s problems
evaporated. In total, little more than two dozen examples were built.
The author covers this history in a concise and easy to read manner.
As with other Datafiles, it comes in the regular A4 size and comprises
32 pages. Contained therein are over 65 black and white photos, offering
a rare insight into this unusual aircraft.
There is a LUSAC-11 that’s being restored and its
present location is the USAF Museum. Ten colour images from this
airframe are also included, a couple of them being tantalizing cockpit
shots.
Colin Owers has drawn and traced the accompanying plans, which are
supplied in both 1:72 and 1:48 scales. These are nicely rendered with
extra detail views included where appropriate.
The colour profiles are equally as competent, with Ronny Bar providing
three schemes to tempt the modeler as well as supplying two variations
of upper surface camouflage.
Robert Karr gets the most from this ugly aircraft with
his usual dramatic artwork on the cover.
Not an obvious candidate for this series but if the
Lepere LUSAC-11 is your bag, you won’t get a better all-round reference
source than this one.
Recommended
Thanks to Albatros Productions for the review sample
Review Copyright © 2007 by Rob Baumgartner
This Page Created on 01 February, 2007
Last updated 04 June, 2007
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