Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

The sole CH.3 Series 1 Ace, G-AHLG, in its original configuration with a single fin and rudder. The large cabin, around which the aircraft had largely been designed, created turbulent airflow which tended to blanket the tail surfaces at low speeds. Test pilot Rex Stedman had considerable difficulty making turns during early flights.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-02 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Two views of the Chrislea Ace Series 1 G-AHLG, photographed at Heston with original single fin layout in August 1946.

Air Enthusiast 2006-09 / A.Ord-Hume - Folland's Civil Side /Paper planes/

Quick off the mark in the UK's post-war light aircraft market was the Chrislea Ace. The prototype, G-AHLG, first flew in September 1946 with a Lycoming O-290. Despite considerable development, production amounted to just over 30 units.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-02 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Two views of the prototype Ace taken at Heston in November 1946, following modification of the tail to twin fin layout in an effort to cure directional instability.

Jane's All the World Aircraft 1947 / All the world's aeroplanes

The Chrislea C.H.3 Ace Two-seat Light Monoplane (125 h.p. Lycoming engine).

Aeroplane Monthly 1985-07 / Personal album

The prototype Chrislea Ace was originally flown with a single fin. The company later moved from Heston to Exeter and a production line was laid down for developed versions known as the Chrislea Super Ace and Skyjeep. G-AHLG was scrapped at Exeter in April 1952.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-02 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

The modified Ace prototype flying at Heston in November 1946.

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

Within three weeks of its first flight the Ace had been fitted with twin fins and rudders and the dihedral of the wings had been reduced. The aircraft was ultimately withdrawn from use in January 1949 and scrapped at Exeter in the spring of 1952.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-02 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

The prototype Chrislea Ace makes a flapped landing at Heston in November 1946. Development work of the prototype was carried out at Heston but in 1947 the company transferred to Exeter where production Aces were built between 1948 and 1950.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-02 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Close-up of the 125 h.p. Lycoming engine. The upper cowling was hinged around a line on the starboard side, while the lower cowling could be detached completely.

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

A series of publicity photographs of the Ace, showing its novel features, including (left) the simple cabin, unusual “steering-wheel” flying controls and door designed for easy access, and (right) the car-type upper cowl­ing, hinged around a line on the starboard side. The lower cowling could be quickly detached as a complete unit.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-02 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

The Chrislea C.H.3 Series 2 Super Ace - the “definitive” Ace. G-AKFD is seen here on its way from Thruxton on May 6, 1948 in the hands of Rex Stedman.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Chrislea C.H.3 Series II Super Ace G-AKFD up from Redhill on August 19, 1948.

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

The prototype CH.3 Series 2 Super Ace, G-AKFD, initially retained the Chrislea control system but was ultimately fitted with a standard rudder bar, as were the majority of production Super Aces. The prototype was crated for Australia in March 1949 as VH-BRP, but was destroyed in a ship fire at Port Said a few weeks later.

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

The first batch of nine Chrislea Super Aces , lined up outside the Exeter factory in July 1948. Chrislea announced that ‘‘as soon as the material supply position improves, it is hoped to put the next batch in hand” and that “over­seas interest in the machine has been encouraging”. G-AKFD, far right, was destined for Australia in March 1949 but was destroyed by fire aboard the ship on which it was deck cargo.

Jane's All the World Aircraft 1980 / Encyclopedia of Aviation - Aircraft A-Z - v2

Chrislea C.H.3 Series 3 Super Ace.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Super Aces G-AKUX, shown, and G-AKUY were exhibited at the 1948 SBAC show at Farnborough. G-AKUX went out to the E J Riding Lebanon in 1949, where it was eventually scrapped in April 1966.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Super Aces G-AKUX and G-AKUY, shown, were exhibited at the 1948 SBAC show at Farnborough. G-AKUY was sold in Argentina and was re-registered LV-RXW.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Production Super Ace G-AKVB survived until May 1955, when it crashed at Rettenden in Essex.

Aeroplane Monthly 1982-03 / Grapevine

Paul Longthorp's beautifully restored Chrislea Super Ace G-AKVF made its first post-restoration flight on November 4, 1981.

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

Donald Lowry, who took over from Rex Stedman as Chrislea's test pilot in 1949, also assumed the role of sales and publicity manager for the company.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Nice air-to-air study of the prototype Chrislea C.H.3 Series 4 Skyjeep, G-AKVS. It was first flown on November 21, 1949 by D. Lowry.

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

The Skyjeep was fitted with standard flight controls, but the rubber-covered footprint rudder pedals were still unusual, being placed at a slight angle to the floor and operated harmonium-style. Flight Editor Maurice Smith described using the pedals as “taking a little getting used to, unless one frequently dances on one’s points...”

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

After extensive demonstration the prototype Skyjeep was sold to French Indochina in 1952.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

View of the Chrislea C.H.3 Series 4 Skyjeep. It had a removable top decking for accommodating freight or a stretcher, and was powered by a 155 h.p. Cirrus Major 3.

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

The prototype CH.3 Series 4 Skyjeep G-AKVS with its original smaller fins in 1949. The hinged rear decking opened up to reveal a compartment fitted with special rails and support-carrying rollers, into which a stretcher could be fitted. A medical attendant would have sat with the pilot in the front cabin.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Originally registered G-AKVF, Super Ace AP-ADT spent nine years in Pakistan before returning to the UK in 1959. Today this Ace is lovingly cared for by owner Paul Longthorp.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Ace VR-RBI, previously G-AKVC, spent its six-year life in Malaya.

Air Pictorial 1957-02 / Air Pictorial's photo-review

CHRISLEA SKYJEEP four-seater, also at Bankstown, has strengthened airframe and 200-h.p. D.H. Gipsy Six in place of 155-h.p. Cirrus Major III. In background is a Wackett trainer . The C.H.3 Srs. 4 (VH-RCD) is cream and red.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Commonwealth (CAC) CA-2 / CA-6 Wackett - АвстралияAustralia - 1939

Air Pictorial 1958-08 / Photo Review

SEEING IS BELIEVING. Australia provide unusual conversion. The tail wheel undercarriage Chrislea C.H.3 Srs. 4 Skyjeep (VH-RCD) four-seater now has a deepened rear fuselage.

Aeroplane Monthly 1988-12 / M.Oakey - Grapevine

Last surviving Chrislea Skyjeep VH-OLD, first seen in October 1984's Grapevine as the half-restored VH-RCD/G-AKVR, was up for sale in Australia in early October for A$45,000 (L21,000).

Aeroplane Monthly 1984-10 / P.Jarrett - Grapevine

Skyjeep VH-RCD/G-AKVR, which is to fly again in Australia. Drawings are sought to enable an authentic CH.4 restoration to be made.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

The Series 2 Super Ace production line at Exeter in April 1948. By the summer of that year, all was not well at Chrislea and the factory was closed for two months owing to ‘‘material shortages”, a result of financial difficulties with the company’s suppliers. A total of 18 Super Aces and three Skyjeeps were flown and a dozen other airframes were complete or partially completed when the company folded in 1952.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-02 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

This view of the Ace's cabin shows the controversial wheel controls which provided independent control in all three axes. With the control wheels fully down (shown here) the elevators were fully up!

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

In the flight control system devised by Chrislea, all control was effected by a single wheel mounted on a column protruding from the dashboard on a universal joint. Unfortunately the system was not self-centring, meaning that it was extremely difficult to find a level/straight control position to work from.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-02 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

The modified Ace prototype lying scrapped at Exeter in the early Fifties.

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-02 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

Aviation Historian 8 / R.Riding - The Aeroplane that Flies Itself

Chrislea CH3 Super Ace

Aeroplane Monthly 1987-03 / M.Jerram - For Business and Pleasure

E., J. Riding’s three-view of the Super Ace is published by permission of Aeromodeller.