Wagtail

摘要

The Wagtail came to be in 1917, designed by the Westland Aeroplane Company as a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft. Special attention was given to providing the pilot with a decent range of vision - not only forwards but downwards and upwards, too, the latter being catered for by making a clear space through the upper wing between the spars. Continuing problems with the reliability of the ABC Wasp 7-cylinder radial engine delayed progress to the point where the maiden flight took place the following year. It was clearly worth the wait though, as the pilot, Captain Alexander, was so impressed that he looped the aircraft on that first flight. Nevertheless, just five Wagtails were built. By this time W.W.I was coming to an end, a fact that curtailed further development of what was potentially a very good aircraft, one that compared very well with its contemporaries; the Wagtail's excellent climb rate, reaching 17,000ft. (5182m) in 17 minutes, was of particular note.