04/30/2010. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Initial design work on the Sprite was started by the staff of Pilot magazine in early 1968, after consultation with many experienced light aircraft constructors, and a design and development panel was set up to foster the project, headed by Brian Healey, former editor of Pilot magazine. Detailed design by Lloyd Jenkmson and Peter Sharman, lecturers at Loughborough University, began in November 1968, and construction of the first Sprite was started in 1969.

First flown was a Sprite built by Peter Burril of Snape, Yorkshire, on June 16, 1976, powered by a 130 hp Rolls-Royce Continental O-240-A flat-four engine. Two other Sprites were constructed by British Airways apprentices, under their instructor, Bert Page, at London Airport. Plans were available for amateur construction, and by early 1975 more than 100 sets had been sold, however, reportedly only eight aircraft were flown. The pictured aircraft was built by George Castle of Barnet, Hertfordshire and first flew in 1978."

Span: 27 ft 0 in (8.23 m)
Length: 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m)
Height: 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m)
Wing area: 96 sq.ft (8.92 sq.m)
Weight empty: 850 lb (385 kg)
Loaded weight: 1,400 lb (635 kg)
Max speed: 138 mph (222 kmh)
Cruise speed: 128 mph (206 kmh)