Photograph:
Hovey Whing Ding at Schofields, NSW in November 1979 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat light sport biplane
Power Plant:
One 10.5 kw (14 hp) McCulloch 101A single cylinder, air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 5.18 m (17 ft 10 in)
- Length: 4.27 m (14 ft)
- Height: 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 9.1 m² (98 sq ft)
- Max speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Economical cruising speed: 64 km/h (40 mph)
- Service ceiling: 1,220 m (4,000 ft)
- Range: 32 km (20 miles)
- Empty weight: 55 kg (123 lb)
- Loaded weight: 140 kg (310 lb)
History:
The Whing Ding was designed by Mr R W Hovey as an ultralight aircraft which would require minimal construction time, would have short take-off and landing (STOL) performance, and would be capable of easy disassembly for transportation and storage.
To keep costs to a minimum, a number of unusual features were incorporated, these including an aluminium tube for the fuselage / tailboom with urethane foam stiffening, styrofoam core sandwiched in craft paper being used for the tail surfaces. The aircraft also had wing warping for roll control, was of composite construction with wooden spars and light alloy tubular ribs, the leading-edge being faired with rigid urethane foam, the wing being fabric covered.
Construction of the prototype commenced in 1970 and the aircraft first flew in February 1971, certification by the United States FAA being approved in the Experimental Category. Power was provided by a McCulloch engine driving a pusher propeller.
The prototype was sold in Japan and subsequently Mr Hovey completed a second aircraft, the type later entering production. At least 4,000 sets of plans were supplied to amateur builders. A few were built in Australia in the late 1970s and a couple are known to have survived, including 10-1225 (c/n unknown). In later years the type has been marketed as the Whing Ding 71 by Vintage Ultralight Association of Marietta, Georgia.
One example was built by Messrs Max Kroone, Graham Percy and Steven Samagalski in Victoria and was first flown by Graham Percy in April 1978, the aircraft being flown at the Minimum Aircraft Association fly-in at Gordon, VIC. The aircraft has survived and, after restoration, in 2016, it was flown again at Tyabb, VIC. Another was built by Mr Lin Bruty in about 1977.