Locked away in the Pioneer Museum, waiting to find a new home, is a rare bird indeed.

This ultralight aircraft is another of the museum’s treasures that needs to be rehoused after the museum was suddenly closed earlier this year, deemed unsafe.

The Whing Ding is a very simple, lightweight ultralight aircraft, which was designed by Bob Hovey in California.

The first design was built and flown in 1971. A subsequent version, named Whing Ding II incorporated a higher seat, so the pilot’s feet did not drag on the ground.

The Whing Ding bi-plane generated considerable interest in ultralight aircraft, peaking in the late 1970s-1980s.

It had a maximum speed of 80 kph, a stalling speed of 40 kph and a take off distance of 40metres.

It was sold as a kit, with a 30-page construction manual, to be constructed by the purchaser. Its pusher prop was powered by a 15HP McCulloch go-kart engine.

Being seated right in front of the plane, many likened it to a flying go-kart.

A few Whing Dings were assembled in Australia, but not many have survived.

The example housed in the Pioneer Museum, with its Australian Victa lawn mower engine, makes it rare and unique.

Hundreds of visitors to Mulwala’s Pioneer Museum have walked beneath the Whing Ding, unaware of its significant place in aviation and ultralight history.

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Tuesday, 10th June 2025

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