Wassmer WA-22 Super Javelot
Wassmer Aviation · France · first flew 1961 · glider
The Wassmer WA-22 Super Javelot was the definitive variant of the Javelot glider series, incorporating fibreglass construction to improve surface finish and performance over the earlier wooden WA-20.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Cleaner wing-fuselage junction than WA-20 |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat glider with refined wing profile and fibreglass-reinforced construction
- Cleaner wing-fuselage junction than WA-20
- Longer nose and more tapered wingtips than earlier Javelot variants
Very similar in outline to the WA-20 but with slightly cleaner surface finish and more refined wingtip profile. At a glance the Javelot variants are distinguished from each other mainly by production year and detail examination; all share the same basic mid-wing, conventional-tail single-seat glider configuration.
Specifications
- The Wassmer WA-22 Super Javelot has a length of 7.3 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15 m (49 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
By 1961 glider technology was shifting from wood-and-fabric to fibreglass composite construction. Wassmer's WA-22 adopted a partially composite structure to achieve better surface smoothness and a higher glide ratio than the WA-20 and WA-21. The type competed successfully at French and international level in the Standard Class category.
Variants
The WA-22 was the final Javelot variant. Wassmer subsequently developed the WA-26 and WA-28 Espadon series as its next-generation competition gliders.
Where you'll see it
Operated by French aero-clubs and competition pilots through the 1960s. The Super Javelot helped bridge the gap between traditional wooden sailplanes and the all-fibreglass designs that followed.
Related aircraft
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