I just purchased a "New-to-me" Wing Chaparral bow. I really like the bow. It shoots great and it is a real pretty bow to boot.

I am looking for any information on the Wing Chaparral. I am pretty sure mine was made in 1968 (because it is a Head-Ski version, and I am pretty sure that Head- Ski bought Wing in 1968 and sold it to AMF in 1969????) Does this info sound correct?

If you have any thoughts, opinions, or experience with this bow (or Wing in general), I would love to hear it.

I know there used to be an older gentlemen who went by "Wing Nut" who had a ton of Wing information on this site (he has since passed on). Anyone else on here who can tell me about Wing/Chaparral?

You can just call up Bob Lee bows. They are more than welcoming and informative on such information.

Lots of Chaparral fans on here; and Kelly Petersen here on the 'Wall sold Wing bows for years...I think he knows more about them than even Bob Lee does!

Your serial number will confirm the date for you; there's a marker letter at the front for each of the three eras (old Wing, Head Ski, or AMF)...but if you have the "div. of Head Ski" right on the limb, then 1968 sounds close--although I was thinking the sale was in 1967 maybe? Kelly will know.

The Chaparral was only made during the Head Ski years. That started late 67 or early 68 I'm pretty sure. Kelly will have the particulars if he happens to pop in.

"Lots of Chaparral fans on here; and Kelly Petersen here on the 'Wall sold Wing bows for years...I think he knows more about them than even Bob Lee does! Your serial number will confirm the date for you; there's a marker letter at the front for each of the three eras (old Wing, Head Ski, or AMF)...but if you have the "div. of Head Ski" right on the limb, then 1968 sounds close--although I was thinking the sale was in 1967 maybe? Kelly will know."

I hope hope Kelly Petersen pops in. I would love to know more. I got the 1968 sale date from the Wing Website, but it probably took a while for the whole transaction to take place and be "Official", so 1967-1968 seems very feasible.

Anyone know how the Chaparral compares to the Red Wing Hunter? I don't own a hunter, but I know they have a lot of fans. I love the looks of the Chaparral, and it really shoots well... DOUBLE BONUS!!!!

I have a Chaparral - nice bow, but very 'chunky', the grip is quite handful - mine could definitely go on a diet. I prefer the redwing hunter. I kept my Chaparral because it's a beautiful, unique bow, and it actually is a pretty good shooter. Good workmanship, nice tips, really well-made. The fatness of the grip just doesn't suit my personal preference though. Not sure if my specimen is typical or a-typical.

I also have Chaparral that I bought at Anderson Archery in Grand Ledge, MI in 1971. Killed my first deer with that bow and some since then. My son has also killed deer with that bow. It is a Head Ski bow 49lb. I took a rasp to handle and sorta customized the grip to my liking. It's a real sweet bow and one of my favorites.

I also have Chaparral that I bought at Anderson Archery in Grand Ledge, MI in 1971. Killed my first deer with that bow and some since then. My son has also killed deer with that bow. It is a Head Ski bow 49lb. I took a rasp to handle and sorta customized the grip to my liking. It's a real sweet bow and one of my favorites.

The Chaparral's were, as others have said, were made starting in late 1967...the serial number will help narrow it down.

I had two and sold one...I like them quite a bit. Nice limbs and offset from the riser. They're steady with the extra weight of the phenolic in the riser.

As George said the Chaparral was only made by Head Ski, which started in later half of 1967 and AMF took over in 1969. The serial number can give me an idea of when?

Very good shooting bow but Red Wing Hunter and Thunderbird were better shooters, IMHO. Make sure you get the brace height up at 8" or maybe a little higher.

My serial number is CA3024. Does that narrow down the year? How can you tell with Wings?

Mine is ca 4427 ( head ski ). Bought it new but have no idea what year but pretty sure it was very early 70's. I'll have it till I disappear. Love it

I owned one. They are an attractive bow imo. It shot fine. I personally liked the grip a lot. I can't fairly say anything negative about them, but just not a great fit for me. I too found it a bit "overbuilt", but that is somewhat subjective.

This is one that I sold...pretty much identical to the one I kept.

Another picture...

Here's the whole bow...I refinished the riser on this one as the finish had checked on the phenolic...common on these bows.

One man's overbuilt, is another man's extra mass that lends to stability. I liked them a lot, but I had a Phenolic Thunderbird that was a great bow as well, and even more "overbuilt." 8^)

Great pictures... like I said, it is a really pretty bow.

I have lived my whole life around horses, and we have always had a saying "pretty is, is pretty does"... but I also believed that it cost just as much to feed a pretty horse as it does an ugly one. If you can get one that performs well and has looks to boot, then you have the whole package.

That is what I feel about my Chaparral. It shoots great and I love looking at it. Perfect combo!

Great pictures... like I said, it is a really pretty bow.

I have lived my whole life around horses, and we have always had a saying "pretty is, is pretty does"... but I also believed that it cost just as much to feed a pretty horse as it does an ugly one. If you can get one that performs well and has looks to boot, then you have the whole package.

That is what I feel about my Chaparral. It shoots great and I love looking at it. Perfect combo!

I bought a new Chaparral when I took archery in college in 1969. Shot it for several years until I bought a Bear Takedown. I didn't know my Chaparral stacked so badly until I shot the Bear. LOL.

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