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Aerial Views of Stithians & Cornwall

At the Stithians Fayre day 2016 I was lucky enough to win a flight in a light airplane in the mega raffle. The prize was kindly donated by John Colgate an enthusiastic aviator who regularly flies from Bodmin air field.

On the 23rd August John took off with this rookie photographer on board.

The flight path took us past Lostwithiel and the river Fowey, over the Eden Project and across the white mountain landscape of China Clay country.

Next past the Percuil river and over St Mawes, across to Falmouth Docks and Pendennis Castle where there was a jousting contest ensueing.

We then headed for Stithians and did a couple of loops around the village. I managed to take several pictures of the village and other interesting views of Cornwall.

The plane, G-IVOR is an Aeronca 11AC Chief, built in 1946 by the Aeronca Aeronautical Corporation of Middleton, Ohio, USA.

The Chief is a two-seat aircraft.  The fuselage is constructed of welded steel tube, covered with fabric. The wings are also fabric covered, but have wooden spars with aluminium ribs.

It was built for the American touring market and in many ways its interior matches that of American cars of the same era.  It even came supplied with two ashtrays!  About 4000 Chiefs were made, of which some 30 made it across the Atlantic to the UK and Europe.  There are currently about 20 Chiefs flying in UK now, with a further couple at some stage of restoration.

The aircraft is powered by an air-cooled, 4 cylinder, 65 HP Continental engine, developed from a 1930’s tractor power plant, which gives a cruise speed of about 75 knots.  A very stable, forgiving aircraft it has a stalling speed of just under 40 kts which gives it a very good short field capability, although Chiefs are not known for their impressive rate of climb.

With a full load of 2 crew, up to 70 lbs baggage and 15 US gals (12.5 imp gals; 58 ltrs) it has an endurance approaching 3 hrs.  

This particular example, G-IVOR, was originally exported from the USA to Ireland in late 1970s, before coming to England in 1982.  Since 1991, it has been owned by a syndicate of 6 pilots, the South Western Aeronca Group, and is based in Bodmin, Cornwall.  The aircraft was extensively restored in 1997 following an unfortunate encounter with a ditch during a particularly challenging landing.

John Colgate, a retired Royal Air Force Group Captain who originally learned to fly in Chipmunks with the Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron in 1973, has owned a share in “IVOR” for just over 9 years.
 

During the flight I took a load of photos of Stithians and other interesting parts of Cornwall.

These pictures are presented in the 2 galleries below. Gallery 1 - is Stithians and surrounding area whilst Gallery 2 - are some interesting sites that we saw including Eden Project, Falmouth, St Mawes and many more. Watch out for the jousting at Pendennis Castle.

To help raise funds for the Charity running The Stithians Centre we are offering electronic copies of these photos (without the watermark) in exchange for a donation to the Charity (suggested donation size £5 although larger donations will be gratefully received). For further information please contact me, Phil Blease on phil.blease@btinternet.com

Gallery 1 - Stithians

Gallery 2 - Cornwall

Remember to help raise funds for the Charity running The Stithians Centre we are offering electronic copies of these photos (without the watermark) in exchange for a donation to the Charity (suggested donation size £5 although larger donations will be gratefully received). For further information please contact me, Phil Blease on phil.blease@btinternet.com

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