Wickham B

Model B
Role	Homebuilt aircraft
National origin	United States
Designer	Jim Wickham
Unit cost	$7,000 in 1968

The Wickham B is an American experimental twin engined, homebuilt aircraft.^[1]

Design and development

The twin engine aircraft was designed by Boeing engineer Jim Wickham in order to fly safely on one engine over the Seattle area.^[2]

The model B is a high-wing, fixed tricycle landing gear, twin engine aircraft. The aircraft uses all aluminum construction with fiberglass cowlings, nose cone and wheel pants. The wings are configured with Fowler flaps. The two 25 U.S. gallons (95 L; 21 imp gal) fuel tanks are independent of each other. The aircraft uses a throw-over yoke control, similar to a Beechcraft Bonanza.^[2] Design of the aircraft was started in December, 1957 and first flew in April, 1968. Initially the engines were 125hp Lycoming O-290’s but were subsequently changed to 150hp Lycoming O-320 engines.

Operational history

The Wickham B was donated to the Seattle Museum of Flight, then traded to the South Seattle Community College. In 2002, the aircraft was sold and restored to flying condition by Ross Mahon in Everett, Washington.

Specifications (Model B)

Data from Sport Aviation, original drawings, and Wickham B POH (Pilot Operating Handbook) Rev 3/18/06.

General characteristics

• Capacity: 5
• Length: 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
• Wingspan: 40 ft 3 in (12.27 m)
• Height: 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)
• Wing area: 163 sq ft (15.1 m²)
• Aspect ratio: 9.5
• Airfoil: NACA 63A- 418, taper to 4412
• Empty weight: 2,065 lb (937 kg)
• Gross weight: 3,200 lb (1,451 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 50 U.S. gallons (190 L; 42 imp gal) in two 25 U.S. gallons (95 L; 21 imp gal) tanks
• Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming O-320 four cylinder, horizontally opposed piston aircraft engines
• Propellers: 2-bladed McCauley 1A170 70x64

Performance

• Maximum speed: 122 kn; 225 km/h (140 mph)
• Cruise speed: 104 kn; 193 km/h (120 mph)
• Stall speed: 47 kn; 87 km/h (54 mph)
• Never exceed speed: 156 kn; 290 km/h (180 mph)
• Minimum control speed: 56 kn; 105 km/h (65 mph)
• Endurance: 4 hours
• Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)
• Wing loading: 19.6 lb/sq ft (96 kg/m²)

See also

Related development

• Wickham A Bluebird
• Wickham Model C Sunbird

References

1. "The Wickham model B". Sport Aviation. February 1963.
2. Busha, Jim (June 2009). "Preserving the Past Homebuilt Style". Sport Aviation.