Whigham GW-2

Last updated

GW-2
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Gene Whigham
First flight1964
StatusNo longer in production
Number builtTwo
Developed from Whigham GW-1

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

Contents

Design and development

The GW-2 was intended as a model that improved upon the performance of the GW-1. To that end it uses a 53 ft (16.2 m) span wing with a much higher aspect ratio of 26:1 and a Wortmann FX 61-184 airfoil. The GW-2 also uses a V-tail. [1] [2] [3]

The GW-2 is an all-metal design, with doped aircraft fabric covering on the aft part of the wing, behind the spar. The wing mounts spoilers for glide-path control. The landing gear is a fixed monowheel, with a secondary skid. [1] [2]

The prototype GW-2 was registered as N94291 and first flown in 1964. A second GW-2 was also completed. [4] [5]

Operational history

The prototype GW-1 was flown in three US National competitions. [2]

In July 2011 one GW-2 remained on the Federal Aviation Administration registry. [5]

Specifications (GW-2)

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

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related lists

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Activate Media (2006). "GW-2, GW-4 and GW-5 Whigham" . Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine , page 67, Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. ↑ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage" . Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  4. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (July 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N94291" . Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  5. 1 2 Federal Aviation Administration (July 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N4KW" . Retrieved July 5, 2011.


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