The Duck was a recreational hang glider produced through the mid-1980s, available in four wing area sizes. An Attack Duck variant was also offered in 160 and 180 sizes, suggesting a performance-oriented variant within the same family. The Duck's four-year production run spanning 1982 to 1986 places it in the period when hang gliding was at the peak of its mainstream popularity.
Serial numbers for Duck-era gliders fall in the 10093–11550 range, reflecting the significantly higher production volumes of this period compared to the earlier Raven and Harrier models.
Specifications
| Specification | 130 | 160 | 180 | 200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area (ft²) | 130 | 160 | 180 | 200 |
| Attack Duck variants | — | 160 | 180 | — |
| Production era | Feb 1982 – Aug 1986 | |||
| Serial number range | 10093 – 11550 | |||
Detailed performance specifications for this era are not available in company records. Wing area sizes and variants are confirmed from production data.
See Airworthiness Certifications for complete HGMA and DHV records.
History
The Duck entered production in February 1982, overlapping with the final months of the Harrier. It was produced through August 1986, a four-year run that made it one of the longer-running models of Wills Wing's early era.
The Attack Duck variant name suggests a more performance-oriented configuration, a naming convention that reflected the era's enthusiasm for aggressive-sounding product names. The 160 and 180 sizes were offered in both standard Duck and Attack Duck configurations.
By the time the Duck's production ended in 1986, Wills Wing's lineup was shifting toward the double-surface, higher-performance designs that would define the late 1980s. The HP and Skyhawk entered production in 1984, and the Sport line followed in the same era, representing the transition to a more modern generation of designs.
Model Lineage (early era)
- Harrier / Harrier II — Oct 1980 – Dec 1983
- Duck / Attack Duck — Feb 1982 – Aug 1986
- Skyhawk — Mar 1984 – Dec 1990
- HP — Sep 1984 – Nov 1990