POLLIWAGEN

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Polliwagen is a homebuilt aircraft designed by Joseph Alvarez, notable for its distinctive appearance and power from a turbocharged Revmaster Volkswagen engine.
  • Its exceptionally clean lines, foam/epoxy composite construction, and Wortmann wing section contribute to its high performance, boasting a top speed over 200 mph and a 1,000-mile range.
  • Kits for the Polliwagen included a variety of prefabricated components such as molded windshield and canopy, landing gear, disc brakes, and composite wingtip fuel tanks.
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STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,250. Empty wt. 600. Fuel capacity 19. Wingspan 26′. Length 16′. Engine 78-hp Revmaster VW.
PERFORMANCE: (designer figures) Top mph 200+. Cruise mph 180. Stall mph 38. Climb rate 700. Ceiling 28,000. Range 1,000.
Takeoff run 450. Landing roll 550.

Designed by Argentine-born Joseph Alvarez, the Polliwagen derives its name from its appearance and its engine type. It is powered by a Revmaster R-2 100 turbocharged Volkswagen conversion. The Revmaster powers a two-position constant-speed Maloof metal propeller of 59 inches diameter. The Polliwagen’s exceptionally clean lines give it an excellent speed-topower ratio as well as fine aerodynamic handling characteristics. The wings are Wortmann FX-67-K-150 wing section with full-span trailing-edge flaps and ailerons. The wings and fuselage make use of foam/epoxy composite construction. Kits included prefabricated parts: molded windshield and canopy, landing gear, disc brakes, complete panels, composite-structure wingtip fuel tanks, outward-breaking cabin structure, T-tail, and the like.

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