Moon Maid started out to be a gyroplane, but after a couple of years the designer/builder, Richard Doyle, decided to turn it into a standard airplane, stretching the fuselage four feet and replacing the rotor with a pair of wings spanning 23.5 feet. He pow¬ered it with a Bob Huggins 1523cc VW conversion of about 50 hp, one of the first homebuilts to use VW power.
The aircraft first took the air (now as N12041) in June 1964. The Moon Maid initially had a 25hp VW1200, later received a 50hp VW1600 and finally a 60hp VW1840.
During its career the aircraft was modified several times and amongst others received a dorsal fin, a slightly enlarged vertical tail and a new cantilever undercarriage with wheel pants.
Although plans were available for amateur construction (for engines in the 35-50hp range), no further aircraft were built.
Engine Huggins VW 1523cc conversion, 50 hp.
Gross weight 660 lbs.
Empty weight 460 lbs.
Fuel capacity 12 USgal.
Wing¬span 23 ft 6 in
Length 18 ft
Vmax 90 mph.
Cruise speed 80 mph.
Climb rate 600 fpm.
Range 200 nm.
All Aero 