Design Philosophy and Development
Roger Mann founded RagWing Aircraft Designs in 1987 after leaving the U.S. Air Force, establishing himself as a designer focused on bringing classic military aircraft within reach of amateur builders. The RW-20 Stork represented Mann's ambitious attempt to recreate one of aviation's most celebrated STOL aircraft - the German Fieseler Fi 156 Storch - as a 75 percent scale replica suitable for experimental amateur-built category registration.
Mann designed the RW-20 as a side-by-side two-seat variant of his earlier RW-19 Stork, which featured tandem seating. Both aircraft shared the same first flight date of August 1997, demonstrating Mann's systematic approach to developing aircraft families. The design emphasized wood and tube construction with fabric covering, making it accessible to builders with traditional woodworking skills.
Performance and Specifications
The RW-20's most remarkable characteristic was its claimed STOL performance, matching or exceeding that of its World War II inspiration. With a stall speed of just 15 mph and advertised takeoff and landing runs of only 30 feet, the aircraft delivered on its promise of extreme short-field capability. The 180-square-foot wing area and light empty weight of 497 pounds contributed to these impressive low-speed characteristics.
Powered typically by a 2si 690 twin-cylinder two-stroke engine producing 70 horsepower, the RW-20 achieved a cruise speed of 75 mph and a maximum range of 250 miles with its 20-gallon fuel capacity. The aircraft's service ceiling reached 15,000 feet, with an initial climb rate of 1,200 feet per minute - respectable performance for such a light aircraft. Alternative powerplants included the Rotax 912UL at 80 horsepower, and at least one example flew with a Corvair automotive conversion.
Manufacturing and Production
Unlike traditional aircraft manufacturers, RagWing operated as a plans-and-support company rather than producing complete aircraft. The company initially offered partial kits in the 1990s but transitioned to plans-only sales as demand fluctuated. Mann estimated that builders would require approximately 600 hours to complete an RW-20, though actual build times ranged from 300 to 1,500 hours depending on builder experience and available time.
Production numbers for the RW-20 remained extremely limited. While RagWing's records show 40 aircraft across all their designs by the mid-2000s, only one confirmed RW-20 appears in documented registrations - construction number JRA0001, registered as C-IDHL in Canada in 2004. The related RW-19 variant achieved slightly better success with nine examples completed by December 2007.
Company History and Legacy
RagWing Aircraft Designs operated from 1987 until January 2000 as a multi-faceted aviation company. Beyond aircraft design, Mann's company provided flight instruction, maintenance services, prototype development, and aircraft testing. The company's first marketed design appeared in 1991, eventually leading to a catalog of 14 fixed-wing designs including replicas of the Pietenpol Air Camper, Pitts Special, and de Havilland Tiger Moth.
By 2012, Mann acknowledged that RagWing plans were sold primarily for their historical value rather than as active construction projects. The amateur-built aircraft market had evolved toward more modern designs and metal construction, leaving traditional wood-and-fabric replicas serving a niche audience of aviation enthusiasts interested in vintage aesthetics.
Operational Experience
The RW-20 qualified for registration in the United States as an Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft, opening additional operational flexibility for appropriately certificated pilots. Canadian registration of at least one example demonstrated the design's acceptance beyond U.S. borders, though the total number of completed aircraft remained minimal.
Pilots who flew the type reported that its STOL capabilities lived up to advertising, with the aircraft demonstrating remarkable slow-speed control and short-field performance. The side-by-side seating arrangement provided better communication between occupants compared to the tandem RW-19, making it more suitable for training applications.
Current Status
With RagWing Aircraft Designs no longer in active business, the RW-20 Stork exists primarily as a historical footnote in the amateur-built aircraft movement. The design's ICAO designation RW20 remains in official records, though few if any examples continue flying today. The aircraft represents an era when amateur builders sought to recreate classic military designs rather than pursue modern composite construction and advanced avionics.
The RW-20's legacy lies not in production numbers or operational significance, but in its role as part of the broader movement to preserve aviation heritage through replica construction, allowing modern pilots to experience the flight characteristics that made aircraft like the original Fieseler Storch legendary among aviators.