Westland Wizard

First flown 1992....now defunct, so not many details....span 54".. ....OS25....balloon tank....

Inverted motor; starting was no trouble, because I fitted a fuel cut-off. Open to prime (with starter). Close to start (on prime). Open when firing.

I detest exhaust expansion chambers (referred to, strangely, as "silencers"). The noise level was kept within limits by a constricted exhaust pipe. Power loss? yes, but tolerable.

Take-off was a problem, initially. Wheels keyed to a live-axle helped to keep it straight. Smart work required with the elevator stick; first, to stop it nosing-over, then to avoid premature lift-off.

Intermittent Tx fault suspected for demise; broken battery-wire inside intact insulation.