I like the better looking control setup, and the round windows will take stress and fatigue better then sharp edged windows, that was proven back in the 50s on the new airliners at that time, the Tailwind is a hot joy, takes off fast, flies fast and lands fast, as we all know Steve Wittman was into fast airplanes, not recommended for low time pilots without proper training.
The Wittman Tailwind is not pressurized. And it's fuselage is a chromoly space frame design which carries all of the loads. It's not a monocoque, therefore exterior panels live a longer life than their builders, because they're nearly unstressed.
Many years ago at Oshkosh, I ran into Steve Witman and his second wife while doing a walk-around of a Tail Wind. I was walking the left side, he and wife were walking down the right side , neither of us paying attention and BAM!! We ran in into each other. A great moment, and a great airplane. Sadly they died a year later.
Thank you for a thoughtful review video. I knew the design was significant from an experimental perspective, but i didn’t know that the Tailwind is Number One of all homebuilt designs. Impressive airplane.
There are many homebuilts that date back to the 1920s, Teens, and Oughts if You count that all airplanes were homebuilt back then. Pietenpol aircampers. Fly Babys. All homebuilt from plans. Steve Wittman was instrumental in pursuing the Feds to create the experimental/Amateur built category back in the 1950s. Many states had outlawed the practice under the guise if safety. When it was really the aerospace manufacturers struggling after WWII who were trying to put a damper on homebuilding so they could sell more airplanes. Wittman Memorial Field in Oshkosh WI is where the EAA is located along with The Airshow.
I like the wingtips and rudder on the W8 vs the W10. If I build a W-10 I'd use the W-8 wingtips. Those clipped tips on the W10 just look too ugly to me.
That's a new kind of compliment and I take that with gratitude. I am doing some rework on the airplane currently. The biggest change will be a new paint job this Spring. The paint job on this particular airplane is 20 years old and is beginning to show its age. I've recently had some engine work done to bring everything backup to what I consider specs. There was a weak cylinder due to an exhaust valve guide leak and the cylinder was rebuilt and reinstalled. Hoping to pick it up within a few days due to the fact that it is done and ready to go now.
Thanks for the video! I'm a 54 yearly student pilot working on my PPL and am planning on a tailwheel endorsement afterward. It'd be great to do so in my own plane (if I can get insurance) and I like what I'm learning about the Tailwind. There's a W8 advertised for sale locally (300 TTAF) with an O-320 (30 SOH) but I don't know enough about the plane for an initial evaluation. Other than getting a thorough pre-purchase inspection (if it comes to that), what advice would you offer about what to look for and any handling concerns that a W8 might have for a low-time pilot?
Sorry it took so long to respond to this. As far as advice to low time pilot a lot of that is strictly opinion but it's clear opinion but I would suggest getting some time sometime in something like an RV. I know that we'll want to make some Tailwind owners strangle me lol. The airplane itself is very predictable as I stated in a review that is newer if you have watched that. I would get a thorough pre buy inspection done in any case. 320 is a large power plant but very common in these airplanes. It will be much more responsive than mine. But if the airplane is in good shape and you have an instructor that can give you some instruction in a more sensitive aircraft I would jump in with both feet.
@@doranjaffas7351 You are not wrong. Not difficult but it can bite Yours is the best engine to plane combo i believe, I had a o235 115hp. I hated that set up. The hagey prop i believe did not work. N31039
Thank you. I've changed the spinner to a 13 inch diameter. It cools a little better. Also putting Vans wheel pants on the main gear. I am more than impressed with the performance of the P tip propeller. I did a Lazer check to verify my tachometer. My tach reads low so now when I'm in 25 MS I can run the 0-200 at actual rpms and the performance is as follows.. Top speed..2,500 msl- 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 150 mph Cruise...130 mph Fuel...3.8 gph Climb.. my self..185 lbs, full fuel..1,400 fpm at 85 mph 360 lbs of people and full fuel is 800 fpm at 85 mph.
@@jhaedtler i thought Steve Whitman's favorite engine for the tailwind was an 0 300. Great performance and very smooth. I love the Tailwinds but there isn't alot of info on them.
@@russellesimonetta3835 Steves favorite engine was the one on hand!The man was a genius. Look up Tailwind forum on the internet. There is tons of information and great people that have built and flown them.
The registration on this aircraft calls itself a W10 - 8 although to me it is more W8 than W10. Still a very nice flying airplane and I have 0 regrets about the purchase.
