WELCOME TO MY CORBEN BABY ACE WEBSITE (last update September 11, 2018)
This is a purely 'for fun' web site for all of those interested in the Corben Baby Ace and flying in general. I hope to post many pictures here along with your experiences involving the Baby Ace. I have been privileged to own two Corben Baby Ace airplanes over the years; a 'C' model and a 'D' model. This site will be under constant development - so check back often for updates. Many of the pictures posted here were found online around the net. Copyright notice: If you see an image here that should not be displayed due to prior copyright issues, please feel free to contact us about it. We will take necessary action if required.
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THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BABY ACE AIRPLANES!One of my favorite Baby Ace airplanes!
I found this gorgeous Baby Ace airplane on the internet in August 2009; in an ad offering it "for sale". It subsequently sold back to its original owner (see story below). If I were a bit younger and had the money I would like to have purchased this airplane. LOL - This is the only Baby Ace I have ever seen that has it's own wind sock mounted to the center of the top wing! The wind would always be perfect using this technique. If you are the current owner and would like to tell us something about this airplane please e-mail The Baby Ace Man at [email protected] and share your story. I will do my best to publish it here on my site. Here is the ad as I found it, but I am leaving out the contact information to protect the owner in case it has sold, or is otherwise off the market: UPDATE: CLICK HERE TO READ THE OWNER'S STORY MAROON BABY ACE with YELLOW TRIM: BABY ACE - N832Z• $13,900 • JUST REDUCED • 65hp, new slick mags, 1070tt, 1070smoh, 575stop, April annual, consider tailwheel airplane trade • Contact xxx, Owner - located Kentucky USA • Telephone: 555-555-5555 • Fax: 555-555-5555 • Posted August 3, 2009 [These older advertisements are for entertainment only. Please do not ask for the owner's contact information. I have no way to know the status of this aircraft and do not want to bother the owner(s) if it has sold. [Click Here For More Pictures Of Beautiful Baby Ace N832Z] Thank You [The Baby Ace Man] |
MY BABY ACE EXPERIENCE - DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'C' & 'D' MODELS
This is not my plane - photo coming soon!
I owned two Corben Baby Aces simultaneously during the 1970's (built by others). One of them was a 'C' model (N1063Z), the other a 'D' model (need to look up the N number in my log books later). I paid $2,500 for the 'C' and $2,800 for the 'D' back in the late 1970's, the latter was a brand new airplane with barely the 50 hour time flown off it (as I seem to recall was necessary back then). The acquisition of both airplanes makes for interesting reading, but I will save that for another time (I bought the pair 2,000 miles apart and could fly neither at the moment owing to a broken foot - I had them delivered by two young pilots willing to do it for the expenses, adventure and a jet ticket home). N1063Z came out of South Dakota, the other out of Alabama. I can tell you this about the two airplanes; compared side-by-side. I weighed 200 pounds at the time and measure 5' - 9-1/2" tall, mostly torso (my pants inseam length is about 29"). I did not notice any difference in the headroom, there was plenty of headroom in either plane and I had no trouble whatsoever getting in or out of the cockpit. Both planes were plans built to near exact standard (I say this since each matched so closely in cockpit, seat, structure and configuration including throttle placement and door sizes). The width may have been a bit tighter in the 'C' model by perhaps 1" to 2" - but I did not notice it much if it was. The C just seemed a little more aerodynamic. Both airplanes had sufficient legroom albeit I don't; think a person over 6'-0" would be comfortable in one.. Both throttles were the J-3 Cub type mounted on the left cockpit wall near the panel, not push-pull through the panel as many have. Throttle placement did not affect my knee room, both were easy to use since I was accustomed to flying right hand on the stick at all times. I love a left hand throttle and avoid Luscombe and Cessna's for this reason. Both were powered by either A-65 or C-65 Continental engines. The A-65 is a taper shaft engine, no flanged crankshaft to receive a prop without the adapter. The C model had a rare ground adjustable wood prop (I still have the hub from it and the broken prop blades still in it - see below). The C had rounded tail surfaces and possibly a slightly different wing strut tubing size. The C model flew and handled far better than the D model - I was never sure why but it seemed lighter by far than the D. I never checked the certified weights or weight and balance for comparison. I ended up flying both airplanes on the same engine after a time when the D model engine conked out and after I damaged the C model airplane during a landing incident owing to a collapsed landing gear that found a pothole in a cow pasture (I swapped out the engines). The C model only had a 10 gallon gas tank, very low fuel reserve at 3.5 to 4 gallons per hour. The C model seemed to land slower and easier, although neither had bad habits at all. In my opinion - any competent Piper Cub pilot can fly a Corben Baby Ace without fear or surprise. I am getting older and weigh 295 pounds now. At 57 years old I wish I could remember whether or not someone as heavy as me could fit into the cockpit any more.... I would love to own and fly a C Model Corben Baby Ace again someday. I am happy that I got to own (11) Taildraggers over the years; (5) J-3 cubs, (2) Baby Aces, (2) Citabria 7ECA's, (1) Luscombe 8F Silvaire, (1) Spezio Tuholer and I can say without hesitation that N1063Z was the best airplane I ever flew along with my 90HP Rawe metal spar clipped wing J-3 Cub (which comes in a very close second - the cub had much more power and climb authority on 90HP in spite of the heavier empty weight and could carry a buddy; e.g. my wife). The worst of the group for handling was my 8F Luscombe Silvaire. It was very heavy since it was IFR certified using older heavy radio gear. That Luscombe was a terrible airplane for my skill level - which was fairly substantial - but you had to be really good and very quick in reflex to land that Luscombe in three point or on the wheels. I hope my comparisons of the 'C' and 'D' Model Baby Aces will help everyone that loves Baby Ace airplanes a bit. I am happy I got to own and fly one of each. Happy Flying, Guy Foster
I MAY BE TOO HEAVY NOW TO FIT IN AN ACE! A CRASH DIET MAY BE IN STORE! (11/06/2010)
A Pair Of Aces Beats Kings
I would like to hear from any 5'-10" pilots that weigh 295 pounds that have fit into and flown a Corben Baby Ace 'C' or 'D' (or in the alternative - how a 295 pound pilot quickly and painlessly lost 95 pounds to fit into one - LOL). Anyone out there know how heavy 18 'stones' is in pounds (see Baby Ace advertisement and comment below)? There were three beautiful Baby Aces on the market within the last year in the $13,000 - $14,000 range. Anyone know who ended up with the Maroon and Yellow trimmed Baby Ace; N832Z out of Utica, Kentucky? That is the best looking Baby Ace I have ever seen. Or, N115D8 out of Ivanhoe, NC? If someone wants to cross the ocean to fly one home; G-BUAA is available in Europe as I write this for £7750 ($11,625.00 +/-) - TTAF 411 TTE601 TSTO 23, Rebuilt Continental A65, with rebore, new pistons, rings, valves guides, gaskets and oil seals. Brand new slick mags, with leads and plugs. New P leads and wiring. New exhaust and eyebrows. Lovely wooden Sensenich propeller. New altimeter and compass, New harness, Icom radio. Cleveland disc's and heel brakes. Flies beautifully and is very easy to land. 150 yards takeoff 200 yards landing. Built in 1989 and Imported in 1992. All log books up to date. Will fit most height/weight pilots, it has been flown by a 6'4 18 stone pilot, so plenty of room. Runs on Mogas, approx 13 ltrs hr so cheap to run. Just had a new permit and service so is ready to fly away. Based near Cambridge. All three of these airplanes are beautiful! Happy Flying, Guy Foster (Baby Ace Man) - P.S. I hear that a liter of gasoline in Europe sells for up to $4.00 per liter, so 13 liters per hour would run you $52.00 per flight hour (count your blessings here in the good ole USA).
"MY BABY ACE EXPERIENCE" WAS ORIGINALLY IN RESPONSE TO THIS POST:
Dear Corben Fans, I looked through the old posts (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CorbenAces/messages) and really didn't find answer to the differences between the two models (C & D). I know the C had a rounded tail and was narrower... but by how much. I ask as I am not sure I would fit in a C model after looking at the MI plans. I show that the width between longerons, center to center as 21". The Height from bottom longeron to wing attach point (rear spar) at 41.25" and with the seat height (4.375) and rear spar mid depth (1.625) subtracted you get a under 35.25" from seat to wing. I don't think I'd fit, as I am 38" from seat to top of head. While I am only 6' tall, I am mostly torso. So does the D model afford any more head room? Might be able to drop seat some.... Thanks, Rob
Check Out A Nice Baby Ace Project [Click Here]
"MY BABY ACE EXPERIENCE" WAS ORIGINALLY IN RESPONSE TO THIS POST:
Dear Corben Fans, I looked through the old posts (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CorbenAces/messages) and really didn't find answer to the differences between the two models (C & D). I know the C had a rounded tail and was narrower... but by how much. I ask as I am not sure I would fit in a C model after looking at the MI plans. I show that the width between longerons, center to center as 21". The Height from bottom longeron to wing attach point (rear spar) at 41.25" and with the seat height (4.375) and rear spar mid depth (1.625) subtracted you get a under 35.25" from seat to wing. I don't think I'd fit, as I am 38" from seat to top of head. While I am only 6' tall, I am mostly torso. So does the D model afford any more head room? Might be able to drop seat some.... Thanks, Rob
Check Out A Nice Baby Ace Project [Click Here]