Randy
FOUNDER
S.Dakota
A E R O F I L E S
REVISED: 12/21/02
Wagner Twin 1 [NX1334N] (Frank Rezich coll)
Twin 1 1951 = 2pChwM; 65hp Continental C-65 and 85hp C-85; v: 120/110/x; ff: 12/6/51. 1946 Piper J-3C and 1947 PA-11 fuselages mounted side-by-side for twin performance; had STOL take-off, 1500fpm climb rate and would take-off and fly on one motor. Built in five days, despite having unequal motors and props (42" wood and 45" metal), it demonstrated negligible balance problems ? the motors were later matched as 85hp with metal props. Flown from the right fuselage only; added horsepower would in theory support four passengers, but the increased wing loading in reality wouldn't. POP: 1 [NX1334N]; dismantled after 150hrs of flight.
Wagner 2 [NX932A]
Twin 2 1952 = The novel hybrid idea was continued in a Piper PA-22 with two 125hp Lycomings O-290-D mounted side-by-side; v: 160/135/45; ff: 2/8/52. This one took three weeks to fabricate. In both the 1 and 2 overlapping prop clearance came from a 4.75" spacer on the left motor's propeller shaft. Wagner's goal: twin safety and performance with four passengers for less than a projected $9,000 selling price, and on only 12gph fuel consumption. POP: 1 [NX932A], modified back to its original configuration after 100hrs of flight testing when Wagner encountered more CAA paperwork and red tape than he felt approval was worth.
Twin 3 1952 = A Piper PA-18 with a second 125hp Lycoming O-290 mounted in a nacelle above the cabin. Although it flew acceptably, there were vibration problems with the tail and the project was dropped. POP: 1, restored to single-engine after 10hrs, then sold.
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REVISED: 12/21/02
Wagner Twin 1 [NX1334N] (Frank Rezich coll)
Twin 1 1951 = 2pChwM; 65hp Continental C-65 and 85hp C-85; v: 120/110/x; ff: 12/6/51. 1946 Piper J-3C and 1947 PA-11 fuselages mounted side-by-side for twin performance; had STOL take-off, 1500fpm climb rate and would take-off and fly on one motor. Built in five days, despite having unequal motors and props (42" wood and 45" metal), it demonstrated negligible balance problems ? the motors were later matched as 85hp with metal props. Flown from the right fuselage only; added horsepower would in theory support four passengers, but the increased wing loading in reality wouldn't. POP: 1 [NX1334N]; dismantled after 150hrs of flight.
Wagner 2 [NX932A]
Twin 2 1952 = The novel hybrid idea was continued in a Piper PA-22 with two 125hp Lycomings O-290-D mounted side-by-side; v: 160/135/45; ff: 2/8/52. This one took three weeks to fabricate. In both the 1 and 2 overlapping prop clearance came from a 4.75" spacer on the left motor's propeller shaft. Wagner's goal: twin safety and performance with four passengers for less than a projected $9,000 selling price, and on only 12gph fuel consumption. POP: 1 [NX932A], modified back to its original configuration after 100hrs of flight testing when Wagner encountered more CAA paperwork and red tape than he felt approval was worth.
Twin 3 1952 = A Piper PA-18 with a second 125hp Lycoming O-290 mounted in a nacelle above the cabin. Although it flew acceptably, there were vibration problems with the tail and the project was dropped. POP: 1, restored to single-engine after 10hrs, then sold.
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