Author Topic: Does Billy Werwage Still Fly? (Read 6470 times)

Dick Pacini · « **on:** March 01, 2015, 10:34:38 PM »

Has Billy retired from flying?

Bob Hudak · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2015, 05:20:55 AM »

No he hasn't. He's out at the Berea fairgrounds on a regular basis during good weather. Not much since November due to inclement weather. We had it up to our knuckles yesterday.
Bob

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2015, 06:46:53 AM »

USA-1 has always been one of my favorites. What a beauty!

Shultzie · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2015, 07:15:12 PM »

Quote from: Scott Richlen on March 02, 2015, 06:46:53 AM

USA-1 has always been one of my favorites. What a beauty!

Agree....amazingly beautiful!

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2015, 06:33:33 AM »

Does anyone know if he has updated the plans for the USA-1? I have a set drawn up by (oh nuts - I forgot his name) and they are very nice, but I'm wondering if Billy tinkers with his designs much?

Thanks,
Scott

EddyR · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2015, 08:13:12 AM »

There are at least three variants of the USA-1 that Billy built. The plans that Warren Tiahrt drew are like the one that Billy used to win the world title with. There is the fat flap one ,Juno style flaps that he said he never cared for. I built one from the Tiahrt plans and powered it with a ST/46. It weighted 50 ounces and flew OK but I felt it was underpower.
Ed

Bill Little · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2015, 08:32:38 AM »

I built one from Warren's plans and powered it with a T&L St G.51. It came out at 53 oz RTF. I have to say it was the best flying model I have had. It cut through the turbulence at Huntersville with no problem. I really need to build another since I sold mine at KOI one year. Derek B has flown it and remarked very well about it.

While building mine I talked with Billy for hours. I was going to build a piped version to give him an idea about the theory. He went ahead and built one.

Bill

Brett Buck · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2015, 08:54:21 AM »

Quote from: Dick Pacini on March 01, 2015, 10:34:38 PM

Has Billy retired from flying?

He didn't seem very retired at last year's NATs, very competitive. He actually looked better physically than he had the last time I saw him a few years ago.

Brett

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2015, 10:54:16 AM »

The USA-! was featured in Model Aviation, with Billy participating in the article was it not? I'm guessing these are the plans that Warren did? If not are they available from another source? Just another plane added to the "One of These Days" list!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Bill Little · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2015, 12:17:00 PM »

Quote from: Dan McEntee on March 04, 2015, 10:54:16 AM

The USA-! was featured in Model Aviation, with Billy participating in the article was it not? I'm guessing these are the plans that Warren did? If not are they available from another source? Just another plane added to the "One of These Days" list!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Hi Dan,

I am sure you are correct. Randy Smith carries Warren's plans for the USA-1.

Bill

Ed Keller · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2015, 12:46:05 PM »

Before he used the name "USA 1", there was a plane which looked like these, but he called it "Probe", which I have. I believe he told me several years ago, when I told him I had found it & bought it, that he did'nt know it still existed. Probably made in the 70's, it still shows tremendous workmanship, in spite of some wear & tear. I was told this plane won some contests. Ed

EddyR · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2015, 03:28:01 PM »

In 2002 I build a smaller version of the USA-1 at 585 SQ" The lines caught on takeoff, third flight

Ed

Dick Pacini · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2015, 07:40:15 PM »

Is that Diana Cream dope? I love that color. I painted many planes with Diana Cream.

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #13 on:** March 04, 2015, 08:26:26 PM »

Ed Keller:

How about posting a picture of the Probe?

Thanks!

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #14 on:** March 04, 2015, 10:08:12 PM »

Electric usa1.
Specs anyone?

Serge_Krauss · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2015, 09:41:28 AM »

Bill has been more active this past season. A while ago, he lost many tools and memorabilia to water damage during storage, when he moved. I gather that this has affected his building, but Bob Hunt can speak to that. The "USA-1" in Bob Hudak's picture is the modern adaptation that Bill constructed for the 2004 World Championship. At that time, he could not get it trimmed acceptably and reverted to his P-47, with which he became a three-time world champion. He told me last year that he has since solved the problems, and it flies well now. He often visits the Berea field to test engines. Here are a lot of pictures of Bill flying his original, "razor-back" P-47. I’ve pieced together three flights from 10/19/14 to make one imaginary one. the 1000 Kb limit will require two posts for these...

Serge_Krauss · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2015, 09:50:29 AM »

'sorry about the duplicated pictures above. Here are the rest...

john e. holliday · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2015, 12:22:29 PM »

He is still the man and I would bet he could still show the kids a thing or two.

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2015, 04:31:06 PM »

Just spoke with Billy. He's working on a new ship and doesn't show any signs of stopping any time soon.

I told him that I was getting ready to build an acoustic guitar and that I had just bought a new Taylor acoustic. He said, "I'll bet you never thought that you'd be flying an electric plane and playing an acoustic guitar!" He's still very quick...

Bob Hunt

Robby Hunt · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2015, 06:01:02 PM »

Bubba,

How about a twin neck guitar?

NED-088 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2015, 12:14:24 PM »

Bob, good to hear Bill is building something new.

Equally nice to hear you're bound to make something not-flying.
By the way, for advice you can always contact Barry Robinson.
His BPR guitars are top notch. When we're performing, my Elly always gets favorable comments about her's. I stick with our D-28, when I'm on guitar duty. Other than that, I'm a Gibson guy: RB-1, A5-L, J-45......

By the way, my new ship nears completion. When so, I'll post a picture or two.
Back on topic.
Say hi to Bill, if he remembers me....

Author Topic: Does Billy Werwage Still Fly? (Read 6470 times)

Robby Hunt