‘A Cierva to the Skies.’

Hairyplane, after a bit of web searching I have discovered that the last flight of an original Cierva C30 A took place in 1966, the aircraft registerd LV-FBL was based in Argentina and was owned by Juan Reges Ayma. He purchased the aircraft (G-ACVX) in 1936 after a being given a demonstration flight at Croydon Airport the pilot was Juan de la Cierva!

JRA operated this aircraft safely and successfully for 30 years, he even fitted a long range fuel tank that gave the Cierva a 5 hour endurance. The aircraft is now part of the Museo Nacional de Aeronautica.

In Spain a Victor Merino Jimenez has constructed a 7/10 scale replica of a C30, powered by a Moto Guzzi 850 cc engine. Please note the lively performance! I did find a contact email for Victor. These images are from the web, photo credit ‘Tamano’. (first three photos).

Lastly regarding the full size replia that was constructed in Spain, the aircraft was fitted with original 1936 constructed rotor blades that came from LV-FBL (see above). The accident destroyed the rotor blades hence ending any further chance of a restoration to fly. The cause of the crash was listed as pilot error due to an excess of confidence.

Also photos of the former Shuttleworth Collection machine at OW.

And the RAF museum’s ex Swedish example.

Septic.

Great idea Hairyplane, I would love to see a Cierva in the skies over Old Warden. If I remember rightly Ken Hyde of the Shuttleworth Collection would be a great person to talk regarding the Cierva.

There’s a great new book out on all things Cierva.

Titled La Cierva. ISBN 2-915205-04-3

Authors Jose Fernandez, Juan Arraez Cerda & Arnaud Prudhomme.

Here is a shot of the Little Nellie and the great Ken Wallis, at OW, Cierva shots to follow.

RPSmith, Weeks Cierva is suspended from the roof of the Fantasy of Flight building, and Le Bourget has G-EBYY a C8L-ll utilising an Avro 504 N fuselage.

If a Cierva cant be found, how about a Hoverfly replica!

Good Luck.

Septic.

I really enjoyed the programme, a very good move to have Guy Black involved I thought.

Septic.

I quite agree David.

I haven’t seen the airframe for years, is it all still there what with all the various moves and owners its had in the years following Southends closure.

Septic.