Wittman Tailwind "Clement" W10 - Incredible Experimental Plane - Owner Interview!

Learn all about this spectacular experimental Wittman Tailwind W10, built by the legendary Jim Clement! The Wittman Tailwind created early momentum for the nascent Experimental Aircraft builder community in the 1950s, starting the basis for what has become the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). This example demonstrates incredible craftsmanship, and the new owner walks us through the many aspects that make this plane highly desirable, even 70 years after the first plans became available.
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If you want to learn more about the Wittman Tailwind, Steve Wittman and Jim Clement, here are some links to great articles and reviews -
Great Wittman Tailwind Review by Budd Davisson:
www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepTai...
Good biography of Steve Wittman, the creator of the Tailwind:
www.wahf.org/hall-of-fame/ste...
EAA Experimenter article on Jim Clement, who built the Wittman Tailwind W10 featured in this video:
www.eaa.org/~/media/files/eaa...
Describes all 10 (at that time) of Jim's W10 builds (he now has built 13)
Great story of the 2023 EAA Oshkosh Wittman Tailwind 50 yr. Anniversary:
• Tailwind 70th Annivers...
Kitplanes Wittman Tailwind W10 review:
www.kitplanes.com/flight-revi...
Jim Clement EAA Experimenter Article
www.eaa.org/~/media/files/eaa...
EAA Chapter Honor
EAA Chapter to honor aviation legend Steve Wittman - generalaviationnews.com/2013/...
Steve Wittman historical picture used in video (and article):
goldenageofaviation.org/wittma...
Wittman W8 Picture used in this video:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Used via Creative Commons License - see link.
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...
Wittman Tailwind - Wikipedia (Full Article)
Filmed with a Canon R10, combined with GoPro 7 and DJI Mini2 Drone footage for BRoll.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:24 Discovery of this plane
1:11 Owner Introduction, Tailwind Background
2:17 Tailwind General Characteristics
3:32 Tailwind Design Elements
3:58 Jim Clement Tailwind Modifications
7:08 Buying this Plane
8:00 Paul's First 20 Hours
9:40 Performance
10:15 200MPH Low Approach
10:42 Tailwind Compared to Cessna 182
11:06 Landing the Tailwind
12:03 Ground Handling Characteristics
12:44 Nosewheel or Tailwheel?
13:13 Closing Thoughts

[@TRANSFORMER2508]

I remember when Fred Weavers kids had it for sale a couple years ago. Hated that I didn't jump on that purchase at the time.

[@Kevinsouth]

I talked to Fred Weaver about a year before he passed. I called him about a cowling issue I had on my W-10. I liked his description of his injection system so much that I used the same system in mine. Sure miss his help as I'm still building.

[@ndenise3460]

Met JC a few years back. What can I say 3 words. A Class Act!

[@kimprout1961]

Nice production Chris! Glad to see you’re featuring really special aircraft. The Whitman is one of Jim Rust’s (of Whirlwind Propellers) favorites. That speaks well to the design.

[@philipritson8821]

You gotta love the 240z in rhe background!

[@erikgledhill6579]

I'm so shocked to stumble onto this video! I've been best friends with Fred Weaver's son, Chris, for 20 years. I'd love to see this plane again. If Paul ever decides to sell it, I'd love to get a chance at it. What a small world.

[@SilvaAdventures]

I think he will have a line of folks waiting if he decides to sell someday…

[@jimhayden7132]

I get to see Jim every year when i visit family in Arizona.

[@glennirwin4710]

Very cool airplane.

[@Danzeeman]

Good and informative vid on a nice little critter, thanks! Loved the cockpit live and external shots that supplement the interview nicely. And looking forward towards that Midget Mustang MM-1 😀

[@danielburke6536]

What a beautiful looking aircraft.

[@Skyhawk172m1]

It's quite a coincidence that I came across this video. I know Jim Clement from his winter home at Indian Hills Airpark in Salome,AZ. I lived there for over 10 years and heard many stories from Jim and others that knew him for longer then I did. I never seen the Tailwind in this video but the yellow one I did at the airpark. It's true he is a craftsman and it showed in his work.

[@SilvaAdventures]

Thank you for adding to the story!

[@bluetopguitar1104]

Efficient, speed, beautiful machine. A great designer of many prewar racers. No wonder it's such a slick design.

[@ajdogcurr1]

Had no idea it could fly that fast at cruise. You can get somewhere in the Whitman Tailwind. Thanks for this video!

[@SilvaAdventures]

This plane has a bigger engine than some Tailwinds, and it was built really clean for reduced drag. Every plane will be slightly different.

[@tinolino58]

Great video!

[@sblack48]

Clement was an artist and innovator

[@SilvaAdventures]

This plane is an excellent example of that!

[@Vanblade1692]

Great video and really interesting to hear the story around the Tailwind. I will be researching more.

[@timtrampenau3050]

My late father owned a Nesmith Cougar, it was very similar to the Tailwind. He only had it a few years but did manage to add the updated triangular tips like the W10 and that seemed to help with the hot landings (it had no flaps). For anyone wanting to “own” one of these gems Peck Polymers made a rubber power peanut scale kit (12” wing span) that flew very nicely. Thanks for the nice views of this beautiful little airplane, cheers and good luck.

[@SilvaAdventures]

Maybe some day I will be able to interview a Cougar pilot! Thanks for the story.

[@Av8orn8]

Very nice, Chris. Your videos are great! Experimentals are awesome; I think I can see one in my future.

[@SilvaAdventures]

Thanks! I try to make each one a little better! I still have a lot to learn. Glad you enjoy them.

[@stevec7596]

Great to see Fred's old plane flying again!

[@SilvaAdventures]

It looks great - and has a fantastic caretaker!

[@ronuyeyama4020]

What a great plane! I look forward to more experimental aircraft videos !

[@SilvaAdventures]

I plan to make more!

[@lessharratt8719]

BD4 ??? My dad wanted one. Tail dragger but I don't know if one was ever built@@SilvaAdventures

[@socrates112]

Awesome...

[@CraigVanSickleAK]

Nice! I got a ride from Fred in that plane at Baraboo 2007. Beautiful airplane.

[@weaverwelder5735]

I bet that was SOME RIDE!

[@CraigVanSickleAK]

@@weaverwelder5735 It was great. Blue sky with the classic little white clouds. Fred punched a few holes in them and we ended up doing a few rolls along the way.

[@aainds]

Nice great vid there ,200 @ 2350 ,50's theology Stunning!

[@SilvaAdventures]

I was definitely impressed!

[@cavelamb]

How did he get the doors to seal so tight???

[@fialee8]

TU for the timestamps! 😀

[@SilvaAdventures]

TU for watching! I hope you enjoyed it...I sure enjoyed getting to know this plane and owner.

[@DblIre]

It's interesting to compare Wit's designs with newer homebuilts. He gets his speed through light weight and slippery designs; too many homebuilts depend on huge engines. I knew Steve, he was quite a guy. I wish he'd designed a 4 place.

[@SilvaAdventures]

Thanks for watching! I am now in love with this plane as well, this example in particular. Incredible performance from such a simple design. Marvelous!

[@ericschlanser1801]

He did design a 4 place, the Big X, in 1945, at the urging of Fairchild. Later, Cessna bought the rights to it from SW. Cessna used the spring landing gear design for the C-195, then buried the Big X design so as to not have it compete with the C-170. Then Cessna sold the Big X plane itself but not the design rights back to SW for $1. Some details in an article by Jack Cox in the July 1980 Sport Aviation issue.

[@ndenise3460]

One of wittmans builders made a 4 place called the 4X? I think it was Callie woods

[@user-nx4nc2cs3f]

I would love to be the next caretaker of this beautiful taildragger, so tired of cruising around at a snail's pace.

[@SilvaAdventures]

Me too...get in line! :)

[@daviousmaximus6446]

How tall is Paul? I love the Tailwinds, but I wonder if they accommodate us stretchy guys OK.

[@SilvaAdventures]

I would guess 6’ 1” but as always, try one on before purchasing!

[@pauleyplay]

Also 6 foot Hard to get into & it is cramped with 2 on board however doable N31039

[@arthartman4784]

Where can I find out about the midget mustang

[@SilvaAdventures]

We will be making another video on that plane soon. Stay tuned….

[@jamesburns2232]

Happy to hear that this Tailwind uses welded tubing and not glued spruce. Over the years, glued spruce can pick up moisture and glued joints can come apart during turbulence. 🥸

[@airman6769]

has wood wings

[@pauleyplay]

Nonsense . Not a submarine Mine ia 50 years old. N31039