Finally...A set of Learadio Crystals for the O-58A

[L-4Pilot]

I finally found a brand new set of crystals for the Learadios that will be mounted in the Aeronca O-58A, pretty rare and hard to come by.

[The Inspector]

What a cool find!!! is it just for show or is it functional? I suppose next smeone will come across an old warehouse full of NARCO radios from the 50's-anyone remember 'Nancy Narco' ads in FLYING Magazine?

[L-4Pilot]

What a cool find!!! is it just for show or is it functional? I suppose next smeone will come across an old warehouse full of NARCO radios from the 50's-anyone remember 'Nancy Narco' ads in FLYING Magazine?

They are brand new and would probably work just fine but are not legal so they will only be installed for authenticity in the plane. The radios are beautiful and were also used in the Piper O-59s that went to Ft. Bragg early in 1942.

[marine air]

So you guys are rebuilding an O-58A/ L-3A? They are a blast and can turn on a dime. My friend has one that we flew for the last 20 years until he totaled it last year. A few suggestions for the rebuild;
1) check the rudder horn, ours was cracked and started fluttering at high speeds.
2) Please upgrade the engine from the anemic 65 hp to 75 or 85. I have flown the 7AC, 11AC, 11BC, 7BCM, 7EC, and several others and there is something unique about the O-58A. It has a hellish sink rate at idle and when at best glide, it sinks at what feels like 800 fpm.
No clue where all the drag comes from. Some say the engine cowling design. It climbs poorly on 65 hp. compared to the J-3, Champ, Chief, BC-12D, BL-65, AND L-2. I'VE instructed in them all and the O-58A has the best turning radius and can maneuver at the slowest speeds. It just needs more horsepower to realize it's potential.

[L-4Pilot]

So you guys are rebuilding an O-58A/ L-3A? They are a blast and can turn on a dime. My friend has one that we flew for the last 20 years until he totaled it last year. A few suggestions for the rebuild;
1) check the rudder horn, ours was cracked and started fluttering at high speeds.
2) Please upgrade the engine from the anemic 65 hp to 75 or 85. I have flown the 7AC, 11AC, 11BC, 7BCM, 7EC, and several others and there is something unique about the O-58A. It has a hellish sink rate at idle and when at best glide, it sinks at what feels like 800 fpm.
No clue where all the drag comes from. Some say the engine cowling design. It climbs poorly on 65 hp. compared to the J-3, Champ, Chief, BC-12D, BL-65, AND L-2. I'VE instructed in them all and the O-58A has the best turning radius and can maneuver at the slowest speeds. It just needs more horsepower to realize it's potential.

Thanks for the great comments, I would love to put an 85 in the plane but currently the STC only applies to B and C models with wood wing ribs, the A model came from the factory with metal ribs. The L-3s I have flown remind me of the L-4E that I restored that was also heavy it also needed the extra HP and I upgraded it to 85 with a O-200 crank

there are currently no A models flying and only 4 left on the FAA registry of the 20 that were built. Most of the L-3s that have survived are B models and a handful of C models. The A has a greenhouse that only extends back to immediately above the rear seat and the framework is made of spruce vs the heavier metal framework on the B and C models. The fuselage frame is also lighter. The A will build up probably 20 to 25 lbs lighter than most other L-3s flying.e

When it left the factory it only had one throttle and a 2nd throttle was only added in 1945 after it was sold as surplus. I have included two shots of the L-4E I restored as a replica of DP-852 a L-4E with a colorful history.

Best Regards,
Steve

[Fouga23]

Why are the radios not legal to operate? Nice find though!

[Taigh Ramey]

Well done on the crystals and the beautiful radios. I understand just how fun and exciting it is to find such a piece that just makes it more authentic. Not too many people care or appreciate these little things but a lot of us here do so keep up the good work!

[Obergrafeter]

Nice Cub Coupe. Are the radios to powerfull? Too many watts? or wrong freqs?

[K5DH]

Great find on the Learadios and the crystals! They'll look great in your L-Bird!

Why are the radios not legal to operate? Nice find though!

There's nothing illegal about equipping a warbird or classic aeroplane with correct vintage radios and making them operational. Many warbird operators have already done so ("Witchcraft" and "FIFI" come immediately to mind), or are in the process of doing so (Taigh's Harpoon, B-26K "Special Kay", C-47 "9X", and others). You just aren't allowed to use them for communicating or navigating. Tube-type nav/com radios were outlawed a long time ago. I recall my Dad grumbling about being forced to replace the tube-type Narco radios in his Piper Cherokee back in the early 1980s (he bought a pair of KX-170B's, which cost him a small fortune). In addition to them being illegal, I sure wouldn't want to depend on antique vacuum-tube radios to keep me on course and in contact with ATC!

[L-4Pilot]

Great find on the Learadios and the crystals! They'll look great in your L-Bird!

Why are the radios not legal to operate? Nice find though!

There's nothing illegal about equipping a warbird or classic aeroplane with correct vintage radios and making them operational. Many warbird operators have already done so ("Witchcraft" and "FIFI" come immediately to mind), or are in the process of doing so (Taigh's Harpoon, B-26K "Special Kay", C-47 "9X", and others). You just aren't allowed to use them for communicating or navigating. Tube-type nav/com radios were outlawed a long time ago. I recall my Dad grumbling about being forced to replace the tube-type Narco radios in his Piper Cherokee back in the early 1980s (he bought a pair of KX-170B's, which cost him a small fortune). In addition to them being illegal, I sure wouldn't want to depend on antique vacuum-tube radios to keep me on course and in contact with ATC!

The radios and armament in the last O-1 I restored were also not operational. The 2.75 launchers were done with a one time STC issued to me and are exact replicas built to drawings.

[hang the expense]

I love your detail on the rockets as well as the tubes.I see a lot of work in all that but it paid off.First rate.