Cranwell CLA.3

04/21/2025. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The RAF Flight-Lieutenant Nicholas (Nick) Comper designed this single-seat ultra-light monoplane for the Cranwell Light Aeroplane Club. The Cranwell club was formed in 1923 by Comper, staff and students at the RAF College Cranwell at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, 28 mls (45 km) east of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. The ultra-light was Comper's third design, hence the designation CLA.3, and the second to be built by Comper and members of the Cranwell Club.

The CLA.3 was first flown in mid-July by Comper. Strangely, on July 30, 1925, the aircraft was registered to the Felixstowe Aeroplane Club at RAF Felixstowe, Suffolk, 107 mls (172 km) south-east of Cranwell, while it was based at Cranwell! The CLA.3 made its first public appearance at Lympe Aerodrome, Lympne, Kent, where it participated in a Speed Race, with Comper at the controls it won with the fastest time om 86.92 mph (139.88 kmh). The aircraft was scrapped in 1929, it was deregistered om July 3. 1929.

The monoplane was of normal wooden construction. The steel tube strutted wing had an Eifel 371 airfoil and was covered with fabric, while the leading edge was covered with aluminum. The pilot actually sat on the floor of the cockpit.

The aircraft was powered by a 32 hp Bristol Cherub II two-cylinder air-cooled, horizontally opposed engine flat twin piston, driving a two-bladed propellor. The engine cowling was also made of aluminum. The aircraft had an empty weight of only 325 lb (147 kg), with a pilot weighing 170 lb (77 kg), 5.4 gal (20.4 l) of fuel and a small quantity of oil, the total loaded weight was only 530 lb (240.5 kg).