Wittman Big X
Steve Wittman · United States · first flew 1945 · light aircraft
The Wittman Big X was a four-seat high-wing variant of the Wittman Buttercup, designed by Steve Wittman.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.57 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High-wing four-seat cabin monoplane
- Single piston engine in the nose
- Spring steel main undercarriage
The Big X has a steel tube fuselage with fabric covering and all-wood wings, and a single 150 hp Franklin engine. Its distinctive feature was the spring steel landing gear.
Specifications
- The Wittman Big X has a length of 7.57 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.84 m (29 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Fairchild engineers showed interest in the Buttercup, and later proposed that a four-seat version would be marketable, so Wittman designed the Big X. It first flew on 6 January 1945.
Variants
Only one Big X was built. Wittman later produced an updated two-place version called the Wittman Tailwind.
Where you'll see it
Cessna bought the aircraft and its production rights to use its spring steel landing gear on the Cessna 195. Wittman used it as a companion and baggage hauler during his air-racing years, and Forrest Lovley rebuilt it in 1980.
Related aircraft
- Wittman DFA
- Wittman D-12 Bonzo
- Aeronca 11 Chief
- All American 10A Ensign
- Auster J/1 Autocrat
- Beechcraft Bonanza (V35)
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