Mitchell wing U2 experimental motor glider

[happy04346]

I purchased a kit in the mid 90's for around $5,000 with a 25hp zenoah engine. Fabric, all the nuts and bolts, crome-molly steel, and wood. Even the tires and wooden prop. All I had to buy were the instuments, epoxy t-88, and paint.

[TalksWithDirt]

Flat spins? Id be afraid to thermal that beast. What happens in steep turns?

[Hoverwing2008]

This Mitchell Wing U2 is now for sale. It needs some repairing, though.

[GAFAAAAAA]

@Hoverwing2008 how much?

[RoseBowlFlyer26]

fuck yeah! I wouldn't mind flying one these myself, in fact, it would be a "nice" addition to my aircraft fleet.

[Hoverwing2008]

To operate the U2 from a grass strip it is recommended to add a spring suspension to the main gear, since the gear is mounted directly onto the main wing spar. Also, it is recommended to reinforce the main wing spar around the gear fittings. The U2 is prepared for retractable gear and at least one builder has built it that way. The performance gain with retracts is neglectible. You can probably have the same gain with wheel pants and save some weight.

[RocKiteman]

How well does this thing do flying from a grass strip? Or is it "pavement runway" only? Does it require larger tires for flying off grass?

Also, this is the fixed-gear version. Do you know if there are any performance differences with the retract-gear version? {At least I *think* there's a retractable version.}

[xgi36]

Thanks, Great plane.

[orlovna2]

I followed the development of the "Mitchell Wings" (plural), back during the 1980s. I was saddened, at the passing of Mitchell, himself, in 1991.

I do remember a Mitchell A-10 wing (if memory serves me right), that was made of aluminum. And, it was this A-10 wing specs and tooling that was sold to another man (who had plans to make kits, from it, in an old missle silo he had bought, in the Midwest, somewhere (like Kansas or Nebraska).

I always liked the aluminum wing better...

[jjrichey]

I would SO give it a WW2 German paint scheme...lol

[faron27]

looks a lot like a HORTON

[Hoverwing2008]

Yes, it is similar to the HORTEN wings. Only smaller and with foldable wings. It' s a very nice little aircraft; easy to fly, stable and with no adverse yaw.

[khalid6591]

how much ? i need 1

[georgitushev]

No flaps!?, Just 27 Hp! I can make electric one. My RC 76" flying wing have 2000W (4 Hp) outrunner :) and elevons only like this prices.

[allth3s4me]

effin awesome!!!

[organist121893]

it looks like it's hard to fly

[Hoverwing2008]

The U2 is very easy and nice to fly.

Carl

[organist121893]

really? does it have any electronic aides? it looks like it would flop around if you pulled the stick to hard up or down

[indigo196799]

Hi Carl.

Do you know about the best web community to discuss the U2?

I would like more about the flying, soaring capabilities. Also amout the behavior in out of normal flying envelope. (spin, tumble, stall or other...)

Thanks!

Sylvain Belanger

Montreal QC Canada

[myndenway]

The mitchell wing was developed in the '50s to allow flight with very little power, - thus the oversized wing. Unfortunately, it was also very delicate and had a lot of frontal drag. Today, with high performance hang glider wings, the Mitchell wing is obsolete. This is why nobody else makes this idea anymore. Hang glider wings achieve faster cruising speeds, with less weight, less drag, and are much more resilient.

[Hoverwing2008]

Compared to most modern hang gliders, it has higher speed, higher weight, better glide, a little higher sink rate and can be operated independently as a small motor glider. It costs about the same to build as the cost of buying a modern high performance hang glider. I quit hang gliding in 2004 after 11 years. Since 2002, the B10 and the U2 has been my way of having inexpensive and fun flying in a small airplane and still having the possibility of soaring flight. The U2 is far from obsolete. Carl

[tomterahedrob]

do you know what sort of performance and economy it gets with 10hp?Ithought back in the 80s these flew on about 10HP.McColluch.Could this be made today just as strong but at half the weight?Iwas amazed back then how something so heavy could fly on so little.

[Hoverwing2008]

I don't think it is a good idea to fly a U2 with only 10 hp. You would not get good enough climb rate to make safe launches. I fly my B10 with a König engine that has reduced power due to bad compression in one cylinder(probably only gives 15 HP) and that is not at all feeling good at take-off.

Carl

[LkOutMtnMan]

I have heard comments on the Mitchell wings having bad behavior at certain conditions. I really like the features of the U2 and know of a pratically new B10 near here for sale. Your opinion greatly appreciated!

[tomterahedrob]

they can be stalled lika reg plane I recall a dealer saying backin early 80s.built like conventional 1920s-40s wooden airplane.

[LkOutMtnMan]

From my research it appears that the plane was a kit and wings are wooden construction which lends to poor construction by an inexperienced builder. I read of two mishaps where the wings folded, that has happened in other wood construction UL's. I believe the plane to be of sound design, esp the U2!

[tomterahedrob]

the U2 is good for 12 Gs.

[nestofdragons]

I had some old video footage where they tell you needed to shut off the engine for the landing. Otherwise the prop would hit the ground. Did you place a prop-protector or something like that?

[fredfighteru]

If you look carefully at the landings you will see that there is a tiny tail wheel to protect against a prop strike when landing.

[PitbullGyro]

Thats great! I have always been a fan of the Mitchel wing. What kind of engine?

[Hoverwing2008]

The engine is a Rotax 277 with 27 hp.

The plane cruises at 60-65 mph and uses 8 l/h.

Its take-off roll is 220 feet on asfalt and the climb is good. It´s a very nice and easy-to-fly little airplane. It´s built in 1987. Carl