Chrislea Super Ace Flew In To Coventry, UK Last Week
Airbase Coventry, the home to the Air Atlantique Classic Flight
fleet of flyable vintage aircraft, is currently a blur of activity
as work continues of a massive expansion program. And the
collection has recently expanded into a second hangar at the
historic Coventry Airport site and work is underway to create a
visitor entrance, shop and art gallery.
Chrislea Super Ace On Delivery Flight
The latest airplane to join the fleet is a Chrislea Super Ace.
This revolutionary British aircraft is one of just two survivors
and flew into Airbase on February 3. "The Super Ace was a bold step
in aircraft design" explains Airbase Commercial Manager Steve
Bridgewater. "The British designers had a radical rethink on how an
aircraft could be made easier to fly. Sadly the idea didn't catch
on and just 18 were built. The Airbase example, registered as
G-AKVF in 1948, is one of just two survivors worldwide and spent
much of its life in Pakistan."
Other aircraft are expected to be added to the fleet during the
spring, both through outright acquisition and a new scheme which is
attracting private owners to base their historic flying machines at
Airbase.
Heading up the rapid infrastructure development at the site is
recently appointed Airbase General Manager Guy Stockley. Formerly
in the RAF, Guy has recently returned from a period in Afghanistan
and is relishing the task of being involved in Britain's newest
aviation attraction.
"We have one of the best fleets of 1950s aircraft in the world
and Europe's largest collection of flyable classic jet fighters,
bombers and trainers," he explains. "Our challenge now is to
display them to visitors at Airbase in an exciting and thought
provoking manner whilst maintaining the 'working hangar' ethos that
has made Airbase such a success. The ability to see, hear and even
smell the airplanes in action is what makes us much more than an
airplane 'museum'.
"The acquisition of a second hangar has enabled us to make the
original 37,000sq ft Airbase hangar available for corporate events
and functions from now on. Our plan is to offer an exciting and
unusual venue for conferences, balls, parties or exhibitions and to
this end we will be hosting a Corporate Day on April 14 for
organisers to come and see what's on offer at the Midlands' newest
exhibition venue."
In addition to these projects the team at Airbase is also in the
process of turning a 1950s Douglas DC-6 airliner into an amazing
restaurant at the airport. "The DC-6 Diner will open later this
year and offer a truly unique dining experience," explains Steve
Bridgewater. "There will be top quality food and drink served in an
unusual venue with excellent service, it will be 'First Class' for
Foodies!"
Martin Slater With Super Ace
If you happen to be in Coventry, the Airbase visitor center is
currently closed for these winter refurbishments but re-opens on
Good Friday, April 22. It will then be open at weekends and on bank
holidays throughout the year.