DFS Rhönsperber

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Rhönsperber
Rhönsperber replica, built 1997
Role Single seat competition glider
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Flugzeubau Schweyer
Designer Hans Jacobs
First flight 1935
Number built c.100

The DFS Rhönsperber, otherwise known as the Schweyer Rhönsperber or Jacobs Rhönsperber (in English

Rhön Sparrowhawk) was a single seat competition glider designed in Germany by Hans Jacobs
and first flown in 1935. For several years it was regarded as the best German sailplane and about one hundred were built.

Design and development

In 1935,

aspect ratio, its performance was better.[1] For a few years after its first flight in 1935, the Rhönsperber was held to be the best German competition sailplane.[2]

The Rhönbussard had its

Airbrakes are centrally placed on the upper centre section surface and fabric-covered ailerons fill the trailing edges of the outer panels.[1]

The fuselage is ply covered and of teardrop cross section, deep around the generously dimensioned cockpit.

elevators are placed on top of the fuselage, the elevators having a cut-out for rudder movement. The Rhönsperber has no landing wheel, only a curved main skid reaching from the nose to behind mid-chord, and an integral, pronounced tail bumper.[1]

Since the DFS built only prototypes,[3] construction of the Rhönsperber was undertaken by Flugzeugbau Schweyer at Ludwigshafen who produced about one hundred.[2]

Operational history

One notable flight set, albeit briefly, a new world distance record of 474 km (296 mi). Flown by Ludwig Hofmann in 1935, this was the first glider flight over more than 400 km (250 mi).[1] Another glider world record was set in 1937, when Paul Steinig reached an altitude of 6,200 m (18,898 ft).[2]

The first sailplane crossing of the

Winter Olympics, taking off and landing on ice.[1] Hanna Reitsch also put a Rhönsperber through some vigorous aerobatics, reaching 385 km/h (240 mph) in a dive and losing 1,920 m (6,300 ft) in a forty-two turn, 165 second spin.[4] There were many competition successes.[2]

The type was marketed in the U.S. by Emil Lehecka, who imported one for his participation in the US Annual National Soaring Contest in 1937.[4]

A single Rhönsperber (civilian registration NC17898) was impressed into USAAF service under the designation TG-19 (s/n 42-57165).[5]

A Rhönsperber (BGA260), flying with a Rhönbussard empennage which has a more angular horizontal tail,[1] is still active in the U.K. as of 2018.[6][citation needed]

It is based at the London Gliding Club, Dunstable, and is regularly flown on vintage glider days.

A "perfect" Rhönsperber replica, built by Otto Grau in 1997,[1] remained on the German civil aircraft register in 2010.[7]

Aircraft on display

  • Muzeum Locnictwa Polskiego, Kraków: Rhönsperber SP-148[8]

Specifications

Data from Die berümtesten Segelflugzeuge[9]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Length: 6.05 m (19 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 15.30 m (50 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 15.10 m2 (162.5 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 15.30
  • Airfoil: centre section Göttingen 535, Göttingen 409 at tip[1]
  • Empty weight: 162 kg (357 lb)
  • Gross weight: 255 kg (562 lb)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
  • Stall speed: 60 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 20:1 at 58 km/h (36 mph; 31 kn)[10]
  • Rate of sink: 0.72 m/s (142 ft/min) at 58 km/h (36 mph; 31 kn)[10]
  • Wing loading: 16.90 kg/m2 (3.46 lb/sq ft)

See also

Related lists

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 3 9806773 4 6
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 0 7110 1152 4
    .
  3. ^ Hardy (1982). Gliders & Sailplanes of the World. p. 28.
  4. ^ a b "The Rhönsperber high performance sailplane" (PDF). Soaring. April 1937. p. 4. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  5. ^ "USAF Serial Number Search Results". cgibin.rcn.com. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  6. ^ "Schweyer Rhönsperber". Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  7. ISBN 978-0-85130-425-0
    .
  8. ISBN 978 0 85130 418 2
    .
  9. ISBN 3 87943171 X
    .
  10. ^ a b "DFS Rhönsperber". Retrieved 1 December 2012.


External links

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