Canadian Quickie 1

 

Canadian Quickie 1 (Homebuilt)

In 1974, Tom Jewett and Gene Sheehan began designing an airplane that would provide "more flying enjoyment for less money" than other homebuilt aircraft designs. Burt Rutan assisted Jewett and Sheehan in the design work and the first Quickie was finished, tested in flight, and ready for a public introduction by April 1978. The original aircraft was awarded "Outstanding New Design" by the Experimental Aircraft Association in 1978. The aircraft is technically a canard design, however the nearly equal size of each wing makes it appear to be a biplane.

This revolutionary design incorporated state of the art materials, and proved to be highly efficient and forgiving. Sold in kit form for production by amateurs in 400 hours, the full kit (in 1977) cost only $6,395 (Cdn), about one-third the cost of a basic 2-seat factory production aircraft at the time. The Onan engine is a modified two cylinder, air-cooled industrial engine.

The Quickie shares similar construction methods and cutting edge design features with other Rutan designs such as the Vari-Eze, Beech Starship, Bob Pond racer, and the only aircraft to fly around the world without refueling, the Voyager. The Quickie evolved into the higher powered Q2 and the two seat Q200, with over 2000 kits sold.

The aircraft was airworthy at the time it was donated to the Canadian Museum of Flight by Denis Phillips in December 1985.

The Quickie is currently undergoing restoration at the museum.

Technical details:

Serial 1018, C-GTDJ
Built: 1984
Engine: 18-25 hp modified Onan two-cylinder horizontally opposed
Cruising speed: 130 mph (210 km/h)
Empty weight: 240 lb (109 kg)
Loaded weight: 550 lb (250 kg)
Wing span 15 ft 8 in (4.8 m)
Length: 17 ft 4 in (5.3 m)
Height 4 ft 6 in (1.4 m)