GW-1
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Gene Whigham
First flight 1959
Status No longer in production
Number built One

The Whigham GW-1 is an American high-wing, single-seat glider that was designed and constructed by Gene Whigham, a retired flight test engineer for Convair.[1][2][3]

Design and development

The GW-1 was built in concert with the Tweed GT-1 as both builders shared ideas and tools. The two aircraft share some common design features, although their wings are completely different. The GW-1 first flew in 1959 and at that time had a 40 ft (12 m) wingspan.[1][2]

The GW-1's wings were extended in 1961 with new tips to 44.5 ft (14 m). The constant-chord wing features a NACA 23018 airfoil and flaps of 25% chord and 22 ft (7 m) span. The aircraft's construction is all-metal, except for the fiberglass nose.[1][2][4]

Only one GW-1 was built and it was registered in the Experimental Amateur-built category.[1][2][3]

Operational history

The GW-1 was used to complete a diamond badge goal flight in 1961.[2]

In July 2011, some 52 years after its completion, the aircraft was still on the Federal Aviation Administration registry and owned by John Coughlin of Del Rio, Texas.[3]

Specifications (GW-1)

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 44 ft 6 in (13.56 m)
  • Wing area: 107 sq ft (9.9 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 18.5:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 23018
  • Empty weight: 340 lb (154 kg)
  • Gross weight: 540 lb (245 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 29 at 55 mph (89 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 5.0 lb/sq ft (24 kg/m2)

See also

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Activate Media (2006). "GW-1 Whigham". Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 66, Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. 1 2 3 Federal Aviation Administration (July 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N343L". Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  4. ↑ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
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