The Raven was among Wills Wing's earliest production hang gliders, offered at the dawn of the modern hang gliding industry. Available in four sizes covering a wide range of wing areas, the Raven established the foundation of what would become Wills Wing's tradition of multiple-size model families to match pilots of different weights and flying styles.
Production records from this era are limited; the Raven was manufactured in small volumes relative to later models. Serial numbers for Raven-era gliders fall in the 3548–5144 range.
Specifications
| Specification | 149 | 179 | 209 | 229 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area (ft²) | 149 | 179 | 209 | 229 |
| Production era | Jun 1979 – Jun 1982 | |||
| Serial number range | 3548 – 5144 | |||
Detailed performance specifications for this era are not available in company records. Wing area sizes are confirmed from production data.
See Airworthiness Certifications for complete HGMA and DHV records.
History
The Raven was part of Wills Wing's early product lineup in the formative years of the hang gliding industry. Wills Wing was founded in 1973 in Santa Ana, California, and the Raven represents the company's products from its second half-decade of operation, as the industry transitioned from homebuilt bamboo-and-plastic designs toward commercially manufactured aluminum and Dacron gliders.
The Raven was succeeded by the Harrier, which entered production in October 1980 (overlapping with the Raven's final production period) and continued through December 1983.