The Wittman W-5 Buttercup is a two place aircraft designed and built by Steve Wittman in 1938.[1] Designated as the Buttercup Model W,[2] the original aircraft is housed in the Experimental Aircraft Association, EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, WI.[3]

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Buttercup
Wittman Buttercup on display
Role	Homebuilt aircraft Type of aircraft
Designer	Steve Wittman
First flight	Original - 1938, Replica - April 14, 2002
Introduction	Original - 1938, Replica - 2002
Variants	Wittman Tailwind

The Buttercup was considered as the basis for a four place certified production model by Fairchild Aircraft. Fairchild executives were impressed with the aircraft that chance landed at their factory airport in Hagerstown, Maryland. Wittman sold production rights, but Fairchild did not pursue the effort due to wartime production obligations.[4]

Experimental Aircraft Association member Earl Luce developed a replica Buttercup design which first flew April 14, 2002.[5] His representation of the Buttercup design is available as a set of plans for home builders.[6]

Specifications (1938 Wittman Buttercup - Model W - N18268)

Data from [7]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 2
• Length: 20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)
• Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
• Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
• Empty weight: 690 lb (313 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,390 lb (630 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × piston engine , 85 hp (63 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 145 mph (233 km/h, 126 kn) (V_ne)
• Cruise speed: 123 mph (198 km/h, 107 kn)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wittman Buttercup.

• Experimental Aircraft Association
• LuceAir - The Homebuilt Rag & Tube Aircraft Experts
• EAA AirVenture Museum
• Buttercup Building Log