History
Standard-class single-seat glider with high wings and retractable landing gear, the WA 28 is a derived version of the WA 26P Squale. The Espadon (Swordfish) uses the same composite fuselage (Fiberglass and polyester resin) as the Squale but receives a single-piece wing and horizontal plane also in composite unlike its predecessor whose wing was made of wood.
The Espadon is manufactured in Issoire (Puy-de-Dôme) by Wassmer Aviation. The prototype made its first flight in August 1974 and received its type certificate in November of the same year.Several versions will be available: WA 28 standard version, WA 28F fixed gear, WA 28E with one wing and one reinforced fuselage, WA 28EF fixed gear E version. A total of 28 aircraft will be built between 1974 and 1977.
At present a dozen Espadon are still in flight condition.
Caracteristics
| Wingspan | 15 m |
| Length | 7,65 m |
| Height | 1,66 m |
| Wing surface | 12,60 sq.m |
| Lift to drag ratio | 38 |
| Empty weight | 245 kg |
| Maximum take off weight | 376 kg |
| Speed | 240 km/h |
| Crew | 1 |
Our aircraft
Our copy is WA 28E, number 117, produced in 1977. It was given to us by Antoine Suc in March 2013. It is now exposed suspended in Aeroscopia.
Some pictures
