Wassmer WA-51 Pacific
| WA-51 Pacific | |
|---|---|
| |
| Wassmer WA-54 Atlantic | |
| Role | Four-seat cabin monoplane |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | Société Wassmer |
| First flight | 18 March 1966 |
| Produced | 1969–1977 |
| Number built | 154 |
The Wassmer WA-51 Pacific is a French four-seat cabin monoplane designed and built by Société Wassmer. Different-powered variants include the Wassmer WA-52 Europa and the Wassmer WA-54 Atlantic. It was the world's first composite material-built aircraft.[1]
Design and development
[edit]Having manufactured glass-fibre cowlings for Bébé, D112 and D120 Jodels, increasing number of glass-fibre parts for their Javelot, Bijave and Super-Javelot gliders, and then Super-IV aircraft, in 1966 Wassmer first flew the glass-fibre WA-50 prototype, a single-engined four-seat cabin monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear. Originally designed as a three-seater powered by a 115cv Potez engine, engine unavailability at the time resulted in a 150cv Lycoming O-320 being used instead and the aircraft becoming a 4-seater.[1] Using the same profile as the Super-IV but only 8.6m span, and compensated with large slotted flaps, the wings were formed from two moulded halves and contained two 70 litre fuel tanks.[1] The fuselage was also manufactured as two halves, and featured butterfly doors.
The design entered production as the WA-51 Pacific with a fixed tricycle landing gear. The low-wing cantilever monoplane was powered by a nose-mounted 150 hp (112 kW) Lycoming O-320-E2A piston engine. A variant, powered by a 160 hp (119 kW) Lycoming IO-320-B1A was called the WA-52 Europa. Further refinements produced the 180 hp (134 kW) Lycoming O-360-A1LD powered WA-54 Atlantic.
Variants
[edit]- WA-50
- Prototype with retractable landing gear, first flew 22 March 1966, one built, registration F-WNZZ.[2] Fuselage is color molded with integral leading edge fuel tanks.[3]
- WA-51 Pacific
- Production version first flown in 1969 with a 150hp (112kW) Lycoming O-320-E2A engine, 39 built.
- WA-52 Europa
- As WA-51 with a 160hp (119kW) Lycoming IO-320-B1A engine, 59 built.
- WA-53
- Proposed variant with a 125hp Lycoming engine, not built.
- WA-54 Atlantic
- WA-51 with refinements and a 180hp (134kW) Lycoming O-360-A1LD engine, 55 built.
Specifications (WA-54 Atlantic)
[edit]
Data from Mondey.
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 (pilot)
- Capacity: 3 (passengers)
- Length: 7.50 m (24 ft 7.25 in)
- Wingspan: 9.40 m (30 ft 10 in)
- Height: 2.26 m (7 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 12.40 m2 (133.47 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 7.125
- Empty weight: 620 kg (1,367 lb)
- Gross weight: 1,130 kg (2,491 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360-A1LD , 134 kW (180 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 280 km/h (174 mph, 151 kn) at sea level
- Cruise speed: 260 km/h (162 mph, 141 kn) at 1,675 m (5,500 ft)
- Range: 1,340 km (839 mi, 729 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 4,500 m (14,760 ft)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
Bibliography
[edit]- Battarel, Michel (1966). Chez Wassmer, l'avion "tout plastique" devient une réalité. Air et Cosmos, 141 pp. 36–38
- Mondey, David (1981). Encyclopedia of The World's Commercial and Private Aircraft. New York: Crescent Books. p. 245.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985). Orbis Publishing.
- Simpson, R.W. Airlife's General Aviation. England: Airlife Publishing. p. 336. ISBN 1-85310-194-X.