| VP-2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Evans VP-2 G-BTAZ preserved at the City of Norwich Aviation Museum in Norfolk, England | |
| Role | Homebuilt aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | William Samuel Evans |
| First flight | 1971 |
| Status | Plans available |
The Evans VP-2 is a development of the Evans VP-1 Volksplane, both of which were designed in La Jolla, California by aeronautical engineer William Samuel "Bud" Evans. [1] Evans had formerly worked at Convair, Ryan Aircraft and General Dynamics. [2]
Work on the design of the VP-1, was completed between 1966 and 1968, the intention being that the design would be simple to build for a novice working at home. The design was successful, and, following a first flight in September 1968, a large number of aircraft have been constructed by homebuilders. The aircraft are usually powered by converted Volkswagen air-cooled engines. [3]
The VP-1 is a single-seat open-cockpit low-wing monoplane manufactured from spruce and plywood with fabric covered wings. Performance is typically a cruise speed of 75 mph (121 km/h) and a stall speed of 40 mph (64 km/h). [2]
Following the success of the VP-1 a two-seat variant, the VP-2 was designed to meet normal category limits, which are 3.8 positive and 1.9 negative g. The first VP-2 (then known as VP II) flew in 1971. [4]
The VP-2 is externally similar in appearance to the VP-1 but with a 1 ft (30 cm) wider fuselage and enlarged cockpit section to accommodate two side-by-side configuration seats. The aircraft is 1 ft (30 cm) longer and has a 3 ft (0.9 m) addition to wingspan. The VP-2 can use any Volkswagen air-cooled engine model from 1,834 to 2,100 cc. Other similar powerplants can be substituted. [5]
Although numerous examples of the VP-2 were constructed from plans provided by the Evans Aircraft Company, the VP-2 is no longer being offered with the company having stopped marketing the VP-2 and responding to technical inquiries. The main concern from the company was that the VP-2 may have liability issues associated with two-seat aircraft. VP-2 plans and modified VP-2 plans remain available on the Internet, although the Evans Aircraft Company neither authorizes nor approves of these plans. [6]
Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83 [5]
General characteristics
Performance
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