From: "Mike Abbott" <mabbott@keytechinc.com>
Subject: Wankel Engine History...

As I wandered through the new Air and Space facility in Dulles, VA this
weekend I was pleased to see a Cardinal made it in - if only as a side
note. Seen in the new Smithsonian at Dulles-
The Wankel engine display mentions that a Wankel RC2-60 was first flown
in a 1970 Cardinal. Along with the engine and description there was a
picture of a C177 RG, tail number N7600V.

A little research reveals that N7600V is owned by Navarro Aviation Co.
Inc. in Sellersville, PA. A little more research reveals that N7600V is
serial number 177RG0886 built in 1976 - clearly not the test bed. So the
two points to note are:

1 - Does anyone know (or better yet own) the original Cardinal Wankel
test bed? Does it still have the Wankel as the power plant (I would
guess not).

2 - Anyone on this list from Navarro Aviation Co.? If so, know that a
picture of your aircraft is proudly displayed in the Smithsonian. Not
bad company.

3. Can anyone confirm that a university or museum has this aircraft or
has it been destroyed?

Marc Wiese