Roger Mann founded RagWing Aircraft in 1987 and he produced its first design, the RW 1 Ultra Piet in 1991 (we have had one of these in New Zealand but more of that later). The company produced numerous designs, of which most were of wood and fabric construction. Its eleventh design was the RW 11 Ragabond which first flew in 1996. It is an all wood and fabric side by side two seater that is modelled loosely on the Piper Vagabond. We have had one Ragabond in New Zealand being the blue and yellow ZK-MGS which is aptly named 'Budgie".
The Ragabond is 18 feet (5.49 metres) in length and has a wingspan of 28 feet (8.53 metres). Its wing area is 123 square feet. Empty weight is around 420 pounds (191 Kg) and MAUW is 1,000 pounds (454 Kg). Engines can range from the 50 HP 2 stroke Rotax 503 up to 70 HP. With the Rotax 503 cruise is around 80 mph.
ZK-MGS (c/n 001) was registered to Gary and Margaret Skilton (hence the registration), of Warkworth on 28/3/02. It is powered by a 64 HP Rotax 582. On 15/9/04 it was sold to BR and JS Eaton of Kaitangata (who also built the Searey ZK-YAY), and then on 2/5/06 ownership transferred to Duncan S and JC Fraser of Harwarden.
It is now based at Forest Field where Dave Paull captured the above take-off photo on 6/10/13.
The Ragabond is 18 feet (5.49 metres) in length and has a wingspan of 28 feet (8.53 metres). Its wing area is 123 square feet. Empty weight is around 420 pounds (191 Kg) and MAUW is 1,000 pounds (454 Kg). Engines can range from the 50 HP 2 stroke Rotax 503 up to 70 HP. With the Rotax 503 cruise is around 80 mph.
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