Wassmer WA-40 Super IV
Wassmer · France · first flew 1959 · light aircraft
The Wassmer WA-40 Super IV is a French four-seat touring aircraft produced by Wassmer Aviation, notable for its use of composite materials at an early stage in light aircraft development.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.09 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- French four-seat low-wing light aircraft of the late 1950s
- Fibre-reinforced plastic construction used in some variants
- Distinctive French touring aircraft with retractable undercarriage
A conventional low-wing four-seater in the European touring tradition; its Wassmer badge and French construction methods distinguish it from American contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Wassmer WA-40 Super IV has a length of 8.09 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 255 km/h (158 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + 3 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Wassmer, based in Issoire, France, produced a series of light aircraft from the late 1950s onward. The WA-40 represented the company's move toward larger touring designs and was an early adopter of fibreglass in its structure.
Variants
The WA-40A and WA-40 Super IV are the principal variants; the line evolved into the WA-41 and WA-421.
Where you'll see it
Operated by French private owners and aero clubs; a modest number of examples remain airworthy in France.
Related aircraft
- Wassmer Javelot
- Wassmer Squale
- Aermacchi AL-60
- Aero Boero AB-95
- Aeromere F.8L Falco Series III
- Air & Space 18A
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.