I talked to Fred Weaver about a year before he passed. I called him about a cowling issue I had on my W-10. I liked his description of his injection system so much that I used the same system in mine. Sure miss his help as I'm still building.
I'm so shocked to stumble onto this video! I've been best friends with Fred Weaver's son, Chris, for 20 years. I'd love to see this plane again. If Paul ever decides to sell it, I'd love to get a chance at it. What a small world.
Good and informative vid on a nice little critter, thanks! Loved the cockpit live and external shots that supplement the interview nicely. And looking forward towards that Midget Mustang MM-1 😀
It's quite a coincidence that I came across this video. I know Jim Clement from his winter home at Indian Hills Airpark in Salome,AZ. I lived there for over 10 years and heard many stories from Jim and others that knew him for longer then I did. I never seen the Tailwind in this video but the yellow one I did at the airpark. It's true he is a craftsman and it showed in his work.
Nice production Chris! Glad to see you’re featuring really special aircraft. The Whitman is one of Jim Rust’s (of Whirlwind Propellers) favorites. That speaks well to the design.
My late father owned a Nesmith Cougar, it was very similar to the Tailwind. He only had it a few years but did manage to add the updated triangular tips like the W10 and that seemed to help with the hot landings (it had no flaps). For anyone wanting to “own” one of these gems Peck Polymers made a rubber power peanut scale kit (12” wing span) that flew very nicely. Thanks for the nice views of this beautiful little airplane, cheers and good luck.
@@weaverwelder5735 It was great. Blue sky with the classic little white clouds. Fred punched a few holes in them and we ended up doing a few rolls along the way.
It's interesting to compare Wit's designs with newer homebuilts. He gets his speed through light weight and slippery designs; too many homebuilts depend on huge engines. I knew Steve, he was quite a guy. I wish he'd designed a 4 place.
Thanks for watching! I am now in love with this plane as well, this example in particular. Incredible performance from such a simple design. Marvelous!
He did design a 4 place, the Big X, in 1945, at the urging of Fairchild. Later, Cessna bought the rights to it from SW. Cessna used the spring landing gear design for the C-195, then buried the Big X design so as to not have it compete with the C-170. Then Cessna sold the Big X plane itself but not the design rights back to SW for $1. Some details in an article by Jack Cox in the July 1980 Sport Aviation issue.
Happy to hear that this Tailwind uses welded tubing and not glued spruce. Over the years, glued spruce can pick up moisture and glued joints can come apart during turbulence. 🥸
