Like other ultralight aircraft of its time, the CAB Wasp was built from aluminium sections used for marine applications such as yacht masts and spars, the bracing was either stainless steel or galvanised wire and the wings made of sailcloth and usually manufactured by a sail maker. In the case of the CAB Wasp, the fabric was cut and sewn by Mrs. White using a sail maker’s sewing machine especially purchased for that purpose by Mr. White. 
<p>While the Wasp was similar in design to other ultralights in the early days, it did incorporate several improvements that made it significant.  
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These improvements included: The wire bracing used in the Scout and other early ultralights was replaced by aluminium struts on the Wasp, a feature seen on most modern high winged light aircraft such as Cessna 172’s. The propeller was belt driven rather than chain driven. It was a common problem with early chain driven propellers that the chains, similar to bicycle chains, would break and result in a forced landing. Belt driven aircraft were more reliable. Whereas the Wheeler Scout was a two axis aircraft i.e. it could turn with the application of rudder only (but it was a flat, skidding turn) and rise and descend by the application of elevator, the Wasp also has “spoilers” on the wings which allowed the aircraft to bank and so the aircraft could make balanced turns. The Wasp also had a very basic flap system which allows the aircraft to fly slower with greater lift for taking off and landing. Other features included a trim wheel that would allow the pilot to fly “hands off” and a “butterfly” tail that eliminated one of the rear flying surfaces but this was offset by the complicated engineering needed for this configuration - Day 2 Watts Bridge Airfield Festival of Flight 'The Vintage Experience' 2010. File: Cab_Wasp_Ultralight_YWSG_20100829_3532
Robert Frola
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