Sonex 1555

Not having a workshop at my home, I chose to build the aircraft in a hangar at Seething Airfield (EGSJ). But having spend my entire career in air conditioned offices, I knew the winter cold would be a dis-incentive. So before the kit arrived I erected a well insulated wooden shed inside the hangar, a decision I have never regretted.

Rex Ford of Fordaire, the resident engineering operation at Seething, kindly agreed to be my Inspector, which was very convenient for me as his hangar is only a few metres away from mine Although the Sonex plans are brilliant (there are detailed drawings of every part in case you have to remake any) Rex was able to clarify points that I found ambiguous. Kerry Fores at Sonex Technical Support was a valuable source of valuable advice.

Most of the Sonex is quite easy to build, but I found the canopy and cowling really difficult. Fortunately Sonex provides overseas customers with two canopies and I have already used my spare!

From 1943, Seething was the base of the 448th Bomb Group of the USAAF and their "assembly ship" was a yellow and black chequered B24 called "You Cawn't Miss It". So My Sonex (registered G-YCMI) is also chequered in part, and we have incorporated the black letter "I" on a white circle born by all the Seething based Liberators.

G-YCMI was flown for the first time on November 9th by a very brave Airbus Captain and fellow Sonex builder, Steve Moody. The test programme is continuing well.