Piston

Whisper Aircraft Whisper motorglider

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The Whisper motorglider is equally at home soaring in rising air as a glider, or motoring long distances as a roomy, yet fast touring aircraft.

The Whisper was designed for the homebuilder. Every component has been optimized to ease the task of the homebuilder. The aircraft can be built from a “basic package” or from a “fast build package” depending on how many hours the builder wishes to spend on the project. Components not supplied in these packages can be manufactured by the builder or ordered from the factory. All hardware is ordered directly from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty by the builder.

The Whisper can be built with a wingspan of 16m (52.5′) or 12m (39.4′) to suit individual requirements. With the longer wing the aircraft has a glide ratio of 28:1 and a minimum sink rate of 200fpm which makes it a very capable glider. The 21USG fuel tank and the 115MPG cruise speed also make the aircraft capable of very long powered flights. The 4’2″ wide cabin allows for very comfortable side by side seating. The aircraft can be built with conventional or nose wheel undercarriage.

The aircraft structure is fiberglass and the wing has been tested to an ultimate load of 10.6g. Engine options are VW2100, Jabiru 2200/3300, Rotax 912/S

Whisper Motorglider
Engine: Limbach L2000 or similar VW based conversion
Wing span 16m
Wing area 15sq.m
Aspect ratio 16
Length 7.16m
Empty weight 500 kg
Max all up weight 775 kg
Fuel capacity 85 litres
Prop Hoffman 3 position or fixed pitch wooden.
Rate of Climb (gross weight at sea level) 3.6m/s (700ft/min)
Max level speed 210km/h (113kts)
Cruise speed (75% power) 180km/h (95kts)
Vne 250km/h (132kts)
Stall speed 72km/h (38kts)
Va 160km/h (85kts)
Cruise fuel consumption 12litres/hr (3.2USG/hr)
Range 1200km (no reserves)
Take off roll 180m
Min sink speed 0.9m/s at 80km/h
Glide ratio 1:28 at 105km/h

Whisper Xpress
Engine Limbach L2000 or similar VW based conversion
Wing span 12m
Wing area 12.5sq.m
Aspect ratio 11
Length 7.16m
Empty weight 450 kg
Max all up weight 720 kg
Fuel capacity 85 litres
Prop Fixed Pitch – wooden
Rate of Climb (gross weight at sea level) 2.54m/s (500ft/min)
Max level speed 210km/h (113kts)
Cruise speed (75% power) 180km/h (95kts)
Vne 250km/h (132kts)
Stall speed 74km/h (38kts)
Va 160km/h (85kts)
Cruise fuel consumption 12litres/hr (3.2USG/hr)
Range 1200km (no reserves)
Take off roll 250m (470m to clear 50 ft obstacle)

Wildeblood Triplane

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Of 46 foot span and fitted with a 35 hp JAP radial motor, this triplane was designed by Henry Seddon Wildeblood and built by the Upper India Motor Company of Lucknow, India, in August 1911.

Wheeler Slymph

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A single-seat mid-wing monoplane designed and built by A.H.Wheeler in 1931. Construction was started in Hinaidi, Iraq, that year. It was fitted with a Blackburn Tomtit engine.

It was not flown and brought to Henlow where it was registered G-ABOI c/n AHE.1.

In 1932 it was converted to an ABC Scorpion engine but it was never flown.

It was donated to the Shuttleworth Trust at Old Warden and stored there until loaned to the Midland Aircraft Preservation Society. It was stored in the Coventry area.

Span: 22.00 ft
Length: 14.09 ft

Weymann 80

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Engine: 1 x 650hp Hispano-Suiza

Westward Airways Fairey Flycatcher

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In January 1977 construction of Fairey Flycatcher replica S1287 was started by Robinson Aircraft at Blackbushe, later transferred to Rod Bellamy, whereas the CAA Aircraft Register states Westward Airways, Lands End, England as the manufacturer

On 17 July 1977 it was registered as G-BEYB to John Fairey, and powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-14B engine, making its first flight, at Middle Wallop, on 23 July 1979. The first public display was at the Middle Wallop Air Show on 28 July 1979.

It was damaged following a take-off accident on 4 October 1980, flying again following repair on 23 July 1981.

On 01 September 1995 it was flown to Lee-on-Solent for a static role at the Fleet Air Arm Officers Association reunion, the last public function before sale to FAAM.