Rare beastie

[Jakemaster]

So I looked it up in my mammoth collection of aircraft encyclopedias. Had me stumped, but I found it. I'll wait 'till Ken weighs in on this.

I just looked up the registration

I like my way better. Plus I found one for Flight Sim. I'm eager to take it up.

There's one for flightsim?!  LINK PLEASE!

[Hagar]

I'll wait a little longer before giving the answer. Meanwhile, nobody seems to have spotted the second part of my question.

what's unusual about it

[ozzy72]

It is a Chrislea Super Ace 2! I do know this one as I've seen one before and thougth it was butt-ugly even then
As for the odd factor is it the nose-wheel? Or is it something to do with the little prop on the wing?

[Hagar]

It is a Chrislea Super Ace 2! I do know this one as I've seen one before and thougth it was butt-ugly even then

Indeed it is. Older regulars might remember me doing a feature on it some years ago when I first got a digital camera.

As for the odd factor is it the nose-wheel? Or is it something to do with the little prop on the wing?

Well, it was certainly one of the first light aircraft to be fitted with a tricycle undercarriage but that's not what I was after. The nosewheel is fitted with an anti-shimmy tyre similar to the tailwheel on the Mossie & other British types. The little propeller on the wing is a wind-driven generator which is quite common on aircraft of this era.

The odd thing about the Chrislea Ace was its unconventional controls. It was designed by a Mr R.C Christoforides who had problems learning to fly with conventional controls so he devised a system that he found logical. The problem was that he seems to have been the only one that found it easier to understand. The original Ace was also one of the first light aircraft to be fitted with a spectacle (yoke) rather than a joystick but this was no ordinary yoke. (It's no yoke, trust me. ) The yoke is attached to the end of a shaft located in a darned great ball joint mounted on the panel which allows it to be moved in all directions as well as rotated in the usual way. It sticks out from the panel rather like the familiar yoke but cannot be moved in or out. I couldn't find the owner to open the door for me to take my own shot so here's one by another photographer. http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1004451/

The idea is that to go down you push the yoke upwards & vice versa. (This seems back to front but would make sense if the the ball joint was mounted on the floor rather than the panel.) The ailerons are controlled in the usual way by by rotating the yoke. Rudder is controlled by moving the yoke sideways. This meant it needed no rudder pedals & the original idea was for the throttle to be controlled with a foot pedal rather like a car accelerator. Needless to say it didn't catch on & the later versions were fitted with conventional controls. So there you have it. The strange little Chrislea Ace. More details here. http://www.britishaircraft.co.uk/aircraftpage.php?ID=736

I found a nice photo of the taildragger version the Skyjeep courtesy of the CAA website. http://www.caa.co.uk/applicationmodules/ginfo/ginfo_photo.aspx?regmark=G-AKVR&imgname=G-AKVR001&imgtype=jpg
This was immaculately restored some years ago but damaged in a forced landing after losing its prop in flight. It's still on the register so hopefully it's been repaired.

[ozzy72]

Doug you are a veritable walking encyclopedia of aviation. I hope one day to catch you out with a trick question but I think I'd have to get up VERY early in the morning...... or better yet not go to bed at all
The reason I thought maybe the wee windmill on the wing was I don't recall seeing it on the one I saw (might have been the same kite) and I wondered if it powered something weird and wonderful! The reason I thought about the nose wheel was it looked to be at a funny angle and not have any oleo (I presume that is internal) which seemed VERY odd.

[Hagar]

Doug you are a veritable walking encyclopedia of aviation. I hope one day to catch you out with a trick question but I think I'd have to get up VERY early in the morning...... or better yet not go to bed at all

It's actually not difficult to catch me out. I'm usually OK on these vintage types but I've dropped some clangers in my time.

The reason I thought maybe the wee windmill on the wing was I don't recall seeing it on the one I saw (might have been the same kite) and I wondered if it powered something weird and wonderful!

Knowing what that designer was like I assume these have all mod cons including a starter. I don't think it's possible to fit the Gipsy Major with a generator which explains the wee windmill. I've noticed modern wind-driven generators fitted to some of these vintage machines nowadays. These are probably far more efficient than the original equipment.

The reason I thought about the nose wheel was it looked to be at a funny angle and not have any oleo (I presume that is internal) which seemed VERY odd.

If I'd realised there would be this much interest I would have taken some close-ups including that nose leg. There was rather a lot going on so I never really got the chance. Too much nattering again.

[ozzy72]

But tis only by having a natter that you learn these interesting things and then can educate the rest of us And believe me we're grateful you do as this forum is a great place to learn weird and wonderful things as well as see beautiful photos 8-)

[Jared]

nice rare find