Active Aeronca

Sir,

I have just read my December copy of MOTOR SPORT and was delighted to see the picture of the Aeronca aeroplane. I felt I had to write to tell you that we own an Aeronca C3 GADYS (“GLADYS”). One of three still flying in this country, she flies regularly and hasn’t missed a beat in 10 years. She is a perfect demonstration of the fact that light aircraft design has not moved forward too much since 1935. She does 70mph, two up on 2 1/2 gallons per hour. She even has brakes!

I wonder if the Aeronca in the photo is the actual one you mention; it was stored at the RAE (as was GLADYS) until it was crushed by a snowladen roof in 1955. It was sold for spares, and coincidently was recently bought by a friend of ours who acquired another one to rebuild.

Anyway, I just thought that you would like to know that Aeroncas do fly very well and are still flying quite happily. The photograph is proof; the De Havilland Fox Moth behind her is also ours and I’m pleased to say that they have both attended the Vintage Sports Car meetings at Silverstone!

Jan Cooper (Mrs), Kintbury, Newbury.

I do not know the reg letters of the Aeronca C3 owned by my friend but our picture was unlikely to have been of it. But how nice to know this one is still flying WB