Quote:
Originally Posted by john70t
Watched the epic life of "Draco" (and hopefully will watch the re-birth)
A guy took an obscure bush plane and turned it into one of the most awesome fliers ever.
All home made. Every improvement and consideration done.
A Fieseler Fi 156 Storch on steroids.
"Mike Patey put a PT6A-28 680 shaft horsepower Turbine engine and 102” four bladed prop on the front of the last Wilga ever built. With an empty weight of 2400 lbs, Mike can be off the ground in about 120 feet, pitch to 30 degrees and maintain a climb of 4,000 feet per minute"
Sadly it was wrecked on a gusty day. Freak accident under rather benign circumstances on a simple takeoff.
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Saw him at Airventure a couple times. Too bad on the day he crashed it that he didn't follow his instincts and take off into the wind across the runway. Not like he didn't have the plane for it.
It was a nicely modified plane.