One of the things about me, both good and bad, is that I'm a compulsive researcher when I'm interested in something. I'll read anything I can get my hands on: manufacturer's specs, builder logs, flight reviews, idle speculation, wild-ass rumor-mongering, etc.
The thing is, I'm coming up kind of empty-handed on the Ragwing Special II. It's looking more and more like the kind of plane I'd like to build (back in 2007, I grew steadily convinced I was going to build an Acrosport II, but eventually gave up on the idea in the face of economic projections). But there's just not a lot out there about it.
I've found Roger Mann's ragwing.net page, obviously. I've found the one builder who's put together any kind of web presence (the Raglands-RW26-Bipe page). I've found a handful of images, and a couple of outdated references to X number of planes completed (2, in 2007). All this leads me to wonder, is the RW26 a design I should be avoiding? Does it have problems that everyone else recognizes inherently and I'm missing?
(Quick refresher on what I want: low-n-slow, two-place, mode-C capable, reasonably lightweight, 500+ lb payload, reasonable price, reasonable build time, smallish engine -- four-stroke, VW, Corvair, R2800, Jabiru 2200/3300, Rotax 912, etc., ideally trailerable.)
I'd appreciate your thoughts on it, O great minds of the Biplane Forum.
The thing is, I'm coming up kind of empty-handed on the Ragwing Special II. It's looking more and more like the kind of plane I'd like to build (back in 2007, I grew steadily convinced I was going to build an Acrosport II, but eventually gave up on the idea in the face of economic projections). But there's just not a lot out there about it.
I've found Roger Mann's ragwing.net page, obviously. I've found the one builder who's put together any kind of web presence (the Raglands-RW26-Bipe page). I've found a handful of images, and a couple of outdated references to X number of planes completed (2, in 2007). All this leads me to wonder, is the RW26 a design I should be avoiding? Does it have problems that everyone else recognizes inherently and I'm missing?
(Quick refresher on what I want: low-n-slow, two-place, mode-C capable, reasonably lightweight, 500+ lb payload, reasonable price, reasonable build time, smallish engine -- four-stroke, VW, Corvair, R2800, Jabiru 2200/3300, Rotax 912, etc., ideally trailerable.)
I'd appreciate your thoughts on it, O great minds of the Biplane Forum.
