Photograph:
Corben Baby Ace VH-EJJ (c/n V36) at Morwell, VIC in April 1984 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat ultralight sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 48 kw (65 hp) Continental A65 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.05 m (26 ft 5 in)
- Length: 5.4 m (17 ft 8¾ in)
- Height: 2.03 m (6 ft 7¾ in)
- Wing area: 10.43 m² (112.3 sq ft)
- Max speed at sea level: 169 km/h (105 mph)
- Cruising speed: 151 km/h (94 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 213 m/min (700 ft/min)
- Stalling speed: 84 km/h (52 mph)
- Range: 563 km (350 miles)
- Empty weight: 258 kg (568 lb)
- Loaded weight: 431 kg (950 lb)
History:
The Corben Baby Ace was designed in the early 1930s by Orland J Corben as a single-seat light sport aircraft which could be fitted with a variety of engines. Early aircraft were fitted with the 37 kw (50 hp) Salmson AD9, the Continental A40, or the 34 kw (45 hp) Szlesky. Kits for home construction were produced by the Corben Aircraft Company, which began manufacturing the type in 1931. Later the Ace Aircraft Manufacturing and Supply Company took over the supply of plans and component kits for the type.
In 1955 the Baby Ace was extensively re-designed as the Model D, the prototype of which flew for the first time on 15 November 1956. A number have been built in the USA and Canada. Various engines could be installed ranging in power from 48 kw (65 hp) to 63 kw (85 hp).
Construction was of solid spruce spars and built-up wooden ribs in the wings. The fuselage was of welded steel tubing covered with fabric. The type was approved for construction in Australia and a few examples have been registered.
Flown for the first time on 12 December 1977, VH-EJJ (c/n V36) was fitted with a 48 kw (65 hp) Continental A65-8 engine, and was registered on 1 March 1979. It was later transferred to the Recreation Aircraft Association (RSA) Register as 28-3745 on 30 May 2002.