Albatros Publications

The Lepere LUSAC-11, Windsock Datafile #120

by  Colin A. Owers

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: £12.50 postpaid from the publishers. Windsock Datafiles are published by Albatros Publications, Ltd., and they are the premier producer of information on the aircraft of World War I. They have well over 100 titles in print, and these are listed on their website (www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk). You can occupy an entire evening just reading through the titles and descriptions of each publication. I found the site fascinating. The Datafile #120 is another in a series of detailed descriptions of World War I aircraft. Most people have never heard of the LUSAC-11, but my interest in it stems from the accounts related by an uncle of mine who flew the airplane just after World War I. So, I was happy to have the chance to review this booklet. The Lepere LUSAC-11 was one of the many attempts sponsored by the United States government to get an American-designed combat airplane into production in time to have some impact on the air war in Europe. When President Wilson engineered our involvement in the European War, the United States was woefully unprepared in every way, and the only up-to date aircraft produced in this country were Curtiss Jennies, which turned out to be excellent trainers. The few combat type aircraft available were obsolete, and although production programs were attempted, these were too late, resulting in American flyers using British, French, and Italian equipment. The LUSAC-11 came closest to achieving that goal, and coupled with the excellent Liberty engine, turned out to be a pretty good airplane for its time, and actually became the first airplane designed and built in America to reach France, even though it was designed by a Frenchman. A French engineer, Captain Georges Lepere, which sometimes has been written as Le Pere, had been sent over to the United States as part of the French Military Technical Aeronautical Service in early 1918, and working at the Wright Field Engineering Division, designed a two seat fighter and ground attack aircraft which featured up-to-date engineering along with suitability for American production methods. The aircraft was entirely of wooden construction, and most were Liberty powered, although several used the American-built 420 hp Italian Bugatti engine, as the LUSAC-21. I do need to mention that the airplane has often been referred to as the "Packard-Le Pere LUSAC-11" by such authors as Peter Bowers, but apparently pilot reports mentioned it as the "Lepere", which is the term used by the author. The text describes the prototype development in extensive detail, including the contracts let for production by Packard, Fisher Body Corporation, and Brewster. Initial prototypes used the Bugatti engine, but since these units weren't available in useful quantities, the Liberty-powered variant became the major production model. Although two made it to Europe before the Armistice, the type was never used in combat. A total of 27 LUSAC-11's was built. Postwar, the type was developed and used for various test programs, including a high altitude record set by Major Schroeder in 1920, and another by Lt. J.A. Macready in 1921. The aircraft were also used by U.S. occupation forces in Germany, and by American air attaches in various European countries.

The booklet presents a fascinating story, and is profusely illustrated with contemporary photos, three view drawings in 1/72 and 1/48 scale, and excellent color drawings showing three different color schemes. In addition, detail color photos show the only surviving example currently under restoration at the Air Force Museum at Wright Field. There is certainly enough information here for a unique scratchbuild project. At present, no kit is available of this aircraft in any scale, but with the information published herein, that could easily change. This is certainly worth getting if you have any interest in American aircraft of the World War I era. Highly recommended. The book is available from Albatros Publications, Ltd., at 10 Long View, Chiltern Park Estate, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 1BY, in the UK. Their website was mentioned earlier. Cost is listed as £10.50, at specialty bookstores, or £12.50 postpaid from the publishers. Contact them for details. Thanks to Albatros Publications and IPMS for the review copy.

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