Originally Posted by
chevvron
I'm positive the one I first flew at Halton had the letters/numbers 'F59EE' painted on tail; unfortunately I didn't think to take a photo of it; perhaps Forfoxake will confirm. I have recorded it in my logbook as a 'Viper' rather than an AX3 by the way.
One significant thing I notice in the video is the pilot has a 'joystick' between his legs whereas the one I flew had a single central stick which could be shared by both occupants as with the 'production' version.
I'm not sure if all UK registered AX3 were UK built; certainly the first ones were French built, however I believe the later AX2000 was UK built.
Bill Sherlock fitted one with a Rotax 912 which was much faster and took off after a ground run of about 5 feet; he also dropped into Halton one day with one he had fitted with a 2 cylinder 4 stroke engine; not sure what make the engine was but it was much quieter than the 2 stroke Rotax 503.
I have checked my log book and reminded that my first flight (with Jon George at Popham) was recorded as in 'AX-3 Premier' registered F-59EE. Not sure why I would have put that regn in my logbook if it was not on aircraft but I cannot find a picture to prove it!
It was actually my second flight that was at the Drayton St. Leonards farm strip with Bill Sherlock in 'AX-3 Cyclone' but that was in F-59GD.
As far as I am aware, at least initially, all UK registered AX-3s were built at the Drayton St Leonards 'factory'- actually a tarted up farm shed. I never heard Bill talk about flying the demonstrators across the Channel so assume they were built in France and trailed over derigged, exactly how I later got my own AX-3 from Drayton St Leonards to Scotland. Unlike the Kitfox etc, it was not a quick derig/rig but it was doable.
I am almost certain that the 4 stroke engine you refer to was the Rotax 508, but I think it proved underpowered for the two seat AX-3, although fine for the single seat Chaser. Later, some might have been fitted with HKS engines.
But since my memory is obviously suspect- it was over 27 years ago after all- I think someone needs to track down Bill Sherlock. Hopefully, he is still on the go!