Designed by Eric Clutton of Stoke-on-Trent in conjuction with E.Sherry during 1957 to 1963. FRED stands for “Flying Runabout, Experimental Design,” but the design is now far from experimental, says its designer – Eric Clutton. A parasol-type single-seater, FRED has folding wings for road-towing. It has steel spring shocks for rough-field operations. Volkswagon powered.
Clutton started building the first, G-ASZY PFA.1311 cn EC/ES/1A in 1957 at Stoke-on-Trent, finished at Meir and first flown from there on 3 November 1963 with a modified Triumph 5T as FRED Series 1. It was re-engined with a Scott A.2S in 1965 to demonstrate the wide range of engines it can take. It was further re-engined in 1966 with a Lawrence radial as FRED Series II.
From 1968 it was used as a testbed for the Clutton belt-reduced VW of various sizes and drives, eventually with an EC/VW1500.
Badly damaged at Meir in 1974, it was rebuilt and flown again in mid-1975 in WW1 German markings including lozenge markings.
Engine: VW, 65 hp.
HP range: 55-65.
Height: 6 ft.
Length: 16 ft.
Wing span: 22.5 ft.
Wing area: 110 sq.ft.
Speed max: 85 mph.
Cruise: 70 mph.
Stall: 29 mph.
ROC: 500 fpm.
Take-off dist: 900 ft.
Landing dist: 450 ft.
Fuel cap: 14 USG.
Weight empty: 550 lbs.
Gross: 800 lbs.
Seats: 1.
Landing gear: tail wheel.
All Aero 