VH-BRO  Chrislea CH-3 Super Ace    (c/n  132)


                              

                                  It looks "cute" but the Super Ace in its original configuration was a horrible aircraft to fly.  First off
                                  it had no rudder pedals (like an Ercoupe).  Secondly, it had a control wheel mounted on a column
                                  protruding from the dashboard (like a Stinson Reliant).  However, instead of pulling and pushing,
                                  climbing and diving was achieved by moving the wheel and column up and down.   (The whole thing
                                  was mounted on a universal joint). This went over like the proverbial lead balloon with most flying
                                  instructors and hence when the tail dragger Skyjeep was introduced, conventional stick and rudder
                                  bar controls were fitted.  In fact, most Super Aces were retroactively fitted with conventional controls
                                  and I suspect that VH-BRO was one of these since I doubt whether the DCA of the day would have
                                  certified it in its original configuration, knowing what sticklers they were for safety (and rightly so, too).
                                  At one stage this machine was on display at Chewing Gum Field in Tallebudgera, Queensland, but its
                                  current status is unknown.