Chrislea Aircraft Limited was a British aircraft manufacturer, formed in 1936 and closed in 1952.

History

The company was formed on 2 October 1936 at Heston Aerodrome near London, England, to build the designs of Richard Christoforides. The company name was derived from the partners Christoforides and Bernard Victor Leak. The first product was the Airguard which first flew in

1938 Events January * January 1 ** The Constitution of Estonia#Third Constitution (de facto 1938–1940, de jure 1938–1992), new constitution of Estonia enters into force, which many consider to be the ending of the Era of Silence and the a ...

. The Ace first flew in

1946 Events January * January 6 - The 1946 North Vietnamese parliamentary election, first general election ever in Vietnam is held. * January 7 – The Allies recognize the Austrian republic with its 1937 borders, and divide the country into f ...

and soon after in April

1947 It was the first year of the Cold War, which would last until 1991, ending with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Events January * January–February – Winter of 1946–47 in the United Kingdom: The worst snowfall in the country in ...

the company moved to Exeter International Airport (due to the closure of Heston). At Exeter the Super Ace and Skyjeep were produced, but the aircraft did not sell well due to resistance to the unusual control wheel used. The Managing Director and Chief Designer R.C. Christoforides left the company after internal problems, reduced demand and low production levels, with the assets of the company being bought by C.E.Harper Aircraft Limited in 1952, which scrapped all partly constructed and non-flown aircraft (Seven Super Aces and two Skyjeeps).

Aircraft designs

* Chrislea Airguard * Chrislea Ace * Chrislea Super Ace * Chrislea Skyjeep

References

* ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985)''. London: Orbis Publishing. * Jackson, A.J. ''British Civil Aircraft Since 1919 Volume 1''. London: Putnam, 1974. . * Smith, Ron. ''British Built Aircraft Greater London''. London: Tempus Publishing, 2002. .

External links

Chrislea
– British Aircraft Directory {{Aerospace industry in the United Kingdom Defunct aircraft manufacturers of the United Kingdom Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1936 1936 establishments in England Vehicle manufacture in London Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1952 1952 disestablishments in England British companies disestablished in 1952 British companies established in 1936