The Wittman "Tailwind" - HomeBuiltAirplanes.com
Transcription
The Wittman "Tailwind" - HomeBuiltAirplanes.com
6 The Wittman "Tailwind" come close to producing an airplane of comparable performance and cost. This one design, if none other, should serve as existing proof that the homebuilding trend is not just a passing fad. It can and has produced many airplanes that will stand up to anything comparable that the industry could offer. Leo J. Kohn In laying out the design, WittPerhaps one of the finest accomplishments to date in this home-building field lies in the man was shooting for high performance, as well as capacity and comfort. Being an old hand from a midget racer. Originally known as the "Fly- the question of installing more power. Some would-be bui'ders ing thought 85 hp. not enougli for this airplane, and wanted to know the feasibility of using Carpet", the "Tailwind" first flew in January of 1953. It didn't take much longer until enough hours were logged on the airplane to remove its local restrictions. It was then, and still is used primarily for fast cross-country flying, much of it "Tailwind" design by S. J. Wittman of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Certainly in view of the few two place home-built aircraft constructed, none comes as close to the maximum performance as does the "Tailwind". By and large, it is no object of art. It would have to go a long way to even compare to the classic beauty of Wittman's two midget racers, and the many other sport aircraft. But, the "Tailwind" is a functional design, and effort to get the best possible performance higher power engines. Not certain as to just how the ship would perform with more power, Wittman went ahead and built a second ship, which is one way at this business, he was sure of getting what he wanted. His "Buttercup" lightplane which he flown at night. built in the late thirties was very successful, end the "Tailwind" The Ei:p!an2 featured the new landing gear devised by Witt- was patterned after it generally. Many of which developed into two of the fastest midget racers were also incorporated, with the man, which was tested on his end result being a cabin airplane that isn't far ramoved "Buttercup". This landing gear, consisting of round tapered spring steel, has a tendency to flex in a 360 degree direction frcni its setting. of learning the answer. This second ship had a 125 hp. Lycoming 0-290-D installed, and to Us surprise, or just possibly his satisfaction, the performance difference was negligible. Engines of 85 to 90 hp. would provide just as high performance as those cf higher horsepower. The criginal "Tailwind" was fitted with landing gear fairings, and also fitted with auxil- iary fins on the horizontal surfaces, to improve control re- for the sponse. The second "Tailwind" power and weight, and there is was built with slightly larger no doubt that that objective was tail surfaces. achieved. Some of the lightplane manufacturers must have been chagrined when they learned Despite its performance, the "Tailwind" can operate in and out of small fields, and no small amount of lift is gained from the airfoil shaped fuselage. In of Wittman's "Tailwind". With all their experience and resources, they have never yet the original flights, the windshield kept ballooning out, and a Shortly after, Wittman was pressed to provide plans for would-be builders, and after much thought, agreed to do so. However, he first built a new set of wings which were fourteen inches shorter than the screw was set into the center support with each subsequent flight, and now the windshield is secured to the center support by a whole line of screws. A certain amount of lift was expected by Wittman, but he outdid himself with this airplane. original. This move was well Though the windows seem within the safety limits of the small from outward appearance, visibility is very good. The cab- airplane, and improved its handling characteristics. Once the plans were made available, Wittman was soon again confronted, this time with in is roomy and comfortable, and moderately quiet. Wittman is a tall man, and leg room is a prerequisite in his airplanes. The 7 mitters and receivers. They also are equipped with self-starters. Fuel is carried in a 25 gallon tank located in front of the cabin. The wing, which utilizes a modified 4309 section, is braced with a single strut. Flaps are a basic feature of the "Tailwind" design. It has hydraulic brakes and full steerable tail wheel. The control stick is fashioned into a half-wheel hand grip, with a receptacle for a similar grip to be inserted on the right side. The "Tailwind" is the first home-built aircraft to be cer- controls are sensitive, and need The design is simple and sturdy, and clean in the usual tail surfaces are built in a like manner. The wing ribs and spar are wood, and the wing is covered with plywood and fabric. The fuselage, with the exception of the nose section, is also fabric covered. The first Tailwind" has a pressure cowling similar to that used on his racers, helping to produced in Oshkosh by another party, and a Lycoming 0-235-C of 100 hp. was selected to power that airplane. It too, is identical to the original, except that it has a different cowling because of the different engine. The cowling was fashioned by the builder. This third one ended up a little heavier, with a slight son why it should be an easy airplane to build. The fuselage is has a more conventional type performance. All are equipped with electrical systems and radio trans- only the slighest pressure to go to work. The landing gear eliminates a lot of bounce, and the airplane sits snuggly on the ground. Trim is adjustable from the cabin, by spring tension on the control stick. Wittman style. This is one reaof welded steel tubing, and the give it a good deal of its racerlike appearance. His second one cowling. A third "Tailwind" was though not serious reduction in tificated to carry non-revenue passengers under the provisions of CAR 1.74-3. Quite a number of "Tailwinds" are being constructed at this time, one of them being metallized. They will all be powered differently, and should provide excellent points for comparison. They will assuredly provide many happy hours of safe and economical personal transportation for two. Should Wittman decide to further improve the design, he will do just that, making it an even greater credit to private aviation.