FSX Corben Baby Ace - No Spats

This classic single-seat flyer, known for its pioneering homebuilt design, continues to fascinate aviation enthusiasts and virtual pilots alike. Originally introduced in 1929, the Baby Ace was offered as one of the earliest plans-built aircraft, giving hobbyists everywhere the opportunity to construct their own flying machines. This particular package, created by Craig Richardson, features the Corben Baby Ace with its landing gear exposed (no wheel spats) and is fully compatible with both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and Microsoft Flight Simulator X.

Historic Notes on the Baby Ace Series

The Ace Aircraft Manufacturing Company brought the concept of “build-it-yourself” aviation into the mainstream when they sold plans for the Baby Ace. Orland Corben coined the original engineering approach, and his name became permanently linked with the design. Many continue to assemble new Baby Ace aircraft from traditional blueprints, maintaining the legacy of hands-on construction. Even decades later, this light airplane remains prized for its simplicity and ease of handling.

Focus on the Corben Variation

Carrying the “Corben” moniker, this homebuilt plane is often called the Corben Baby Ace. Its straightforward airframe and timeless appeal offer a meaningful connection to the early era of personal aviation. Builders can still obtain plans, reflecting the persistence of grassroots flying around the globe. In this FSX/FS9 rendition, the charming open-cockpit design captures the nostalgic style while remaining a functional freeware model for simulator use.

Key Features in This Freeware Package

Authentic Gauges

Thanks to Robert Kerr for providing gauges originally featured in “Pete,” allowing for a more vintage feel in the instrumentation setup.

Multiple Liveries

Included are different paint schemes to represent common approaches to the Baby Ace’s external aesthetics, seen here without the typical wheel spats.

Accurate Flight Dynamics

The flight model is shaped by real-world performance data and references from Brian Harrington, pilot of the actual “Bits & Pieces” aircraft.

Acknowledgments and Beta Testing

Several dedicated individuals tested this release, including Damian Radice, Brian Farrington, Leyland Spurr, and Roger Law. Their efforts helped refine the overall handling and visual fidelity. Brian Harrington additionally shared firsthand information and images of the real aircraft, optimizing flight realism for this simulation.

Installation Steps

1. Unzip the contents of the downloaded file into a temporary folder on your system.
2. Copy and paste the extracted folder into the appropriate “Aircraft” or “SimObjects” directory, depending on your version of the simulator.

Once placed correctly, the Baby Ace will appear under your available aircraft selections in the simulator. It comes as a complete freeware model, seamlessly integrating into your hangar on Fly Away Simulation.

Credits

All creative work is courtesy of Craig Richardson, who developed and assembled this package. Robert Kerr’s gauge contribution enriches the cockpit layout. Further thanks go out to everyone who provided feedback, images, and performance details to ensure an accurate Baby Ace simulation.