| 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 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Utility aircraft |
| National origin | Italy |
| Manufacturer | Lombardi |
| Designer | |
| Number built | 7 |
| History | |
| First flight | 1945 |
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]
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 [a] of the air").
An LM.5 (registration HB-UEM) was piloted to victory in the 1949 Tour Aerien de Suisse by Walter Spahni. [b] 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. [5]
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. [6] Ali Romantiche has also commenced the restoration of the LM.7 prototype (registration I-TTEN). [5]
Data from "Light and Ultra-Light from Italy", 575
General characteristics
Performance
