Aircraft - Aviation - Balloons - Helicopters
Jan. 01, 1958 - The Do-It-Yourself Plane takes the Air on its-first Trial Flight.: A plane that will fly from Croydon/for 150. 6d. underwent its first trial flight at Croydon yesterday. At the controls was a City company director and veteran pilot Mr. Norman Jones, of Clay gate, Surrey, An engineering firm of which he is boss built this new baby-weight 3501b, wing span 20 feet, cruising speed 75 miles per hour - and fitted it with a four cylinder car engine. The single seater Turbulent is French designed. By being the smallest and cheapest aircraft on the market, it will bring flying within the reach of many would-be pilots with little money in their pockets. Although it is the first professionally - built Turbulent in Britain, many people are building their own. The plans including a year's membership of the Popular Flying Association, cost nine guineas. The engine is £272 and with wood and fabric the total comes to between £500 and £600. Photo shows Mr. Norman Jones seated at the controls of his new baby-weight plane before the take off on its first trial flight at Croydon yesterday
