Dates

Event

From Circa 1969 to 26 August 1969

Constructed as a W-4.
Designed and constructed by Bill Warwick a lab technician from Torrance, CA. Most of the structure was built using wood. A reverse-stagger configuration with laminar flow wings was used with the intent to improve pilot visibility. The airframe weighed 705 lbs empty and 1,019 lbs gross.

1970

Bill Warwick flew Hot Canary in the first race for the airframe at Fort Lauderdale, FL. They won the consolidation race at 158.05 mph.

By 16 April 1970

To unknown owner with c/r N4777W.

From 16 April 1970 to 19 April 1970

Raced as #97, named Hot canaRy.
Competed at the Florida National Air Races in the Sport Biplane class. The primary pilot was Bill Warwick. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 157.05 mph. Did not start in Heat 1A. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 158.05 mph.

From 13 September 1970 to 20 September 1970

Raced as #97, named Hot canaRy.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Roy Berry. Qualified in 3rd place with an average speed of 171.70 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 159.53 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 163.27 mph.

From 2 June 1971 to 6 June 1971

Raced as #97, named Hot Canary.
Raced without qualifying. Appeared at the Cape May National Air Races to compete in the Sport Biplane class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Bill Warwick. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 159.01 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 159.95 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 163.93 mph.

1971

The airframe remained unchanged from the previous year. It was yellow with black lettering.

From 21 September 1971 to 26 September 1971

Raced as #97, named HoT canaRy.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Bill Warwick. Qualified in 4th place with an average speed of 174.76 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 167.62 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 167.96 mph.

The airframe remained unchanged from the previous year. The airframe was finished in a yellow and blue color scheme.

From 12 September 1972 to 17 September 1972

Raced as #97, named HOT canaRy.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Biplane class. The primary pilot was Bill Warwick. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 166.15 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 167.53 mph. Started the Trophy race, but did not finish. Pulled out after two laps when he saw the yellow caution flag being waved due to #7s accident.

12 September 1972

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

12 September 1972

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Retired and donated to the EAA museum. It was placed on display with them as an example of an amateur design solution to the unique difficulties of pylon racing.

3 July 1973

Certificate of airworthiness for NX4777W (W-4, 1) issued.

26 April 1974

To EAA Aviation Foundation Inc, Oshkosh, WI keeping c/r N4777W.

13 December 2012

Civil registration, N4777W, cancelled.

25 July 2023

Photographer: Reinhard Jost
Notes: Warwick W-4 back on scene at AirVenture 23, Oshkosh, WI