Luton Buzzard
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = Buzzard
|image = Buzzard2237.jpg
|caption = Luton Buzzard (G-ADYX), Barton-in-the-Clay, August 1936
|type = Ultralight
|manufacturer = Luton Aircraft Limited
|designer = C.H. Latimer-Needham
|first_flight = 1936
|introduction =
|retired =
|produced =
|number_built = 1
|status =
|primary_user =
|developed_from =
|variants =
}}
The Luton Buzzard was a 1930s British single-seat, open cockpit ultralight aircraft built by Luton Aircraft Limited.
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.{{cite book |last= Jackson|first= A.J.|title= British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3|year= 1974|publisher= Putnam|location= London|isbn=0-370-10014-X |page=261}}
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.
Variants
;Buzzard I
:Prototype open cockpit ultralight, one built.
;Buzzard II
:Buzzard I rebuilt with enclosed cockpit and other modifications.
Specifications (Buzzard II)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 3, Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1938 |editor1-last=Grey |editor1-first=C.G. |year=1938 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd |location=London |editor2-last=Bridgman |editor2-first=Leonard |page=53c}}
|prime units?=imp
|crew=1
|length ft=21
|length in=6
|length note=
|span ft=35
|span in=6
|span note=
|width ft=7
|width in=6
|width note= wings detached
|height ft=6
|height in=6
|height note=
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight lb=400
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=620
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity={{cvt|5|impgal|USgal l|0}} fuel tank behind the cockpit
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=British Anzani 35hp
|eng1 type=V-2 inverted air-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=35
|eng1 note=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=fixed-pitch pusher propeller
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=
|max speed mph=95
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=81
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=30
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|range miles=180
|range note={{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=4 hours
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|glide ratio=
|climb rate ftmin=400
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|more performance=
}}