The HP II was the second generation of Wills Wing's High Performance competition hang glider, a refined successor to the original HP. Offered in a single 170 ft² size, the HP II continued the design evolution that would culminate in the HP AT — the glider on which Larry Tudor set world distance records in the late 1980s.
The HP II and original HP ran concurrently for several years before the HP's production ended, suggesting the HP II incorporated meaningful refinements that justified the generational distinction. Serial numbers for HP II gliders fall in the 12518–13680 range, overlapping with the original HP serial range.
Specifications
| Specification | 170 |
|---|---|
| Area (ft²) | 170 |
| Production era | Jun 1986 – Oct 1990 |
| Serial number range | 12518 – 13680 |
Detailed performance specifications for this era are not available in company records.
See Airworthiness Certifications for complete HGMA and DHV records.
History
The HP II entered production in June 1986, approximately two years after the original HP. Both models were produced concurrently for four years, until the original HP ended production in November 1990 and the HP II ended the following month in October 1990.
The HP AT, which incorporated "Advanced Technology" airfoil and airframe refinements, followed the HP II and became the definitive expression of this design lineage. The HP AT went on to achieve significant competitive success under pilots including Larry Tudor, whose world record distance flights brought international attention to hang gliding as a cross-country sport.