S1that is what the New Zealand brand Armstrong stands for Step 1a foil for your first sightseeing flights. The S1 wing is available in four different sizes with 1250/1550/1850 and 2450 cm2. We tested the set with the 1550 front wing and tell you whether the foil is also recommended for advanced wingfoilers.
On land
The S1 is also available as a set with all parts - and that's exactly how we tried it out. In general, the entire Armstrong range is modular. You can get the set with either a 72 cm or a longer 85 cm aluminium mast and you can also choose between a 65 cm fuselage length or a beginner-friendly 75 cm version. We tested the S1 set with a long mast and long fuselage.
The mounting plate, with which the mast is later mounted on the board, is very solidly bolted. The connection to the fuselage is similar to that of the Axis, with a connecting piece inserted into the mast to ensure good distribution of forces and high rigidity. The connection from the front wing to the fuselage is also special: the hexagonal mount is designed to distribute the forces in the best possible way and be very torsionally rigid. Here, too, the screw connections look rock solid and the accuracy of fit is absolutely top-notch for all components. As Armstrong always prints the required screw lengths on the spot, there is hardly any risk of mixing up the screws during initial assembly. The front wing with a span of 90.5 centimetres and an average aspect ratio of 5.2 is made of carbon - the latter also applies to the stabiliser. However, the set always includes matching covers for the mast, front wing and stabiliser as well as a bag, Teflon gel for the screws and suitable tools. In the picture gallery at the beginning of the article, we show you all the equipment details again - click through!
On the water
The Armstrong S1 Foil immediately scores points on the water with its extremely harmonious and predictable take-off behaviour. The wing lifts you gently out of the water and immediately conveys a perfectly balanced flying position. The flying height is easy to keep stable, which is certainly also a result of the long fuselage. Even in strong gusts, the S1 Foil has a pleasingly low tendency to climb uncontrollably and even if the wing takes an unintentional breath of fresh air, it usually recovers without any problems - stalls and unplanned crashes are the absolute exception with this model. The speed level of the S1 is appropriate for a foil of this size and type, although there are certainly other models in the Armstrong range that offer significantly more potential. Nevertheless, the Armstrong S1 Foil offers enough speed potential to tackle your first jumps.
The S1 foil offers particular strengths in manoeuvres: it can be steered very controlled and stable through wide radii, but also turns pleasingly smoothly in tighter turns - assuming a little more courageous pressure. It generously forgives small missteps or load errors and even at low speeds the foil is still stable. What's more, the Armstrong S1 Foil offers a really decent glide, which means that you can fly along quite well on small swell waves and make cosy, controlled turns on the wave face. If you want to optimise the foil for even more turning ability, you should consider the shorter fuselage.
Armstrong S1 Foil - the conclusion
The S1 model from Armstrong impressed across the board in the test: it combines early take-off with great control and easy manoeuvrability. This makes it suitable for beginners to wingfoiling as well as experienced foilers who are looking for an easy-to-ride wing for relaxed freeriding and smooth manoeuvres.
Takeoff, control, manoeuvres, equipment
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Armstrong S1 - technical data
- Test product: Armstrong S1 1550
- Front wing area: 1550 cm2
- Front wing span90.5 cm (aspect ratio 5.3)
- Back wing area: 300 cm2
- Wingspan back wing: 41 cm
- Fuselage (aluminium): 75 cm
- Mast (aluminium): 85 cm
- Price test set: 1450 Euro
- Weight set (own measurement): 4.82 kg
- Contact: To the website
- Scope of delivery: Bag, cover, tool
- Special features: -
