The Watson WG-1 Windwagon is a single-seat recreational ultralight designed in the United States in 1976 and marketed for homebuilding.[1] Designer Gary Watson originally sold kits as well as plans, but later sold only plans. [1]
The Windwagon is a low-wing cantilever monoplane of conventional design with fixed, tricycle undercarriage, and a single-seat open cockpit.[1][3] Construction is of pop-riveted metal throughout.[1] The outer wing panels are removable to facilitate hangering and trailering.[1][3][4]
Power is supplied by an air-cooled, tractor-mounted piston engine driving a propeller.[1] The engine selected by Watson was an automotive Volkwagen air-cooled engine sawn in half across its crankcase to turn the flat-four engine into a flat-two[1][3][4] (a modification called a "half VW"). Plans for the Windwagon included instructions for modifying a Volkswagen engine this way.[1]
By 1987, Watson had sold over 1,025 sets of plans, and over 500 Windwagons had been built around the world.[1]
Dwiggins, Don (1980). 31 Practical Ultralights You Can Built. Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania: TAB Books.
Markowski, Michael A. (1984). ARV: The Encyclopedia of Aircraft Recreational Vehicles. Hummelstown, Pennsylvania: Aviation Publishers.
Taylor, John W.R., ed. (1987). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1987-88. London: Jane's Information Group.
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