Price

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "Hans Jacobs designed the Habicht as a fully aerobatic sailplane for the air displays planned in conjunction with the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.  It had to be capable of all possible maneuvers, including inverted flight, slow rolls and flick rolls. It would also need good gliding performance."

Model Review by Mark J. Davies

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "Jacobs and his team had not imagined that even more extreme versions of the Habicht would be demanded.  These were to be used for training glider pilots to fly the extremely fast, and highly dangerous, Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket propelled fighter which Lippisch, after departing from the DFS, had developed.  The Stümmel Habicht was produced in two sizes, 8 meters and 6 meters span.  These stalled at about 75 to 80 kph and were said to handle somewhat like the ME 163."

Model Review by Mark J. Davies

Review at HyperScale.com - Great Photos!

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "The need for some high performance two seat sailplanes prompted Hans Jacobs to design what was at first described as a two seat Rhönsperber.  This became the Kranich.  It was in most respects and enlarged 'Sperber with similar aerodynamic layout but, necessarily, larger wing area and a span of 18 meters."

Color Schemes Included
Olympia Meise - D-11-4008 — *Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps (NSFK), Germany 1939
Olympia Meise - Norske Aero Klubb, Norway, 1944-45
Olympia Meise - (No Registration) *Zemsky moravsko-slezsky aeroklub, odbocka Prerov, Summer 1945
Olympia Meise - (Ex:WL-XVII-514) *Zemsky moravsko-slezsky aeroklub, odbocka Prerov, Prerov-Henclov airfield, Aug.1945
Olympia Meise - (No Registration) *CNA odbocka Kralupy, Kralupy airfield, 1946-1947
Olympia Meise - OK-8302 — c/n 101, *CNA odbocka Kralupy, Kralupy airfield, 1947
* Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps (NSFK) — National Socialist Flying Corps
* Zemsky moravsko-slezsky aeroklub, odbocka Prerov — Moravian-Silesian Provincial Aeroclub, Prerov branch
* CNA odbocka Kralupy — Czecholsovak National Aeroclub, Kralupy branch

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "Led by Professor Walter Georgii and backed by ISTUS (International Studienkommission für Segelflug), there was a strong move during the nineteen thirties for soaring to be recognized as an Olympic sport."  The Olympia Meise was the winner of the competition to select a sailplane type to be used in the Olympics, but the 1940 Olympic Games never took place due to WWII.  However, it was a very popular design.  "By good judgment and, perhaps, an element of luck, the Meise proved to have excellent handling qualities, so much so that Philip Wills, the English champion pilot, described the Meise as a piece of poetry, perfectly balanced in all senses and a delight to fly."

Note: The kit refers to the glider as a PS-2, but other sources (see quote below) refer to it as the PS-1.  This glider was much larger than the PS-2 and had a 50 foot wingspan.  The PS-2 had a 36 foot wingspan.

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons mentions this glider briefly. 

In the "Clio's Wings" quiz in Soaring magazine from November, 2008 Raul Blacksten states about this glider, "The Texaco Eaglet was the PS-1.  Originally the brothers simply called the glider "the big ship".  Being familiar with a Franklin glider that he flew in the Cleveland Air Races, when Captain Frank Hawks wanted a glider to aerotow across the U.S., he naturally came to the Franklins.  With the sponsorship of Texas Oil Company, Hawks acquired "the big ship" and this it flew into history with its more formal name, as the Franklin PS-1 Texaco Eaglet. The Eaglet, a little worse for wear, still exists in the National Air and Space Museum collection."

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, a photo and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "An influential article in the November Aero Digest by A P Artran, President of the Franklin Glider Corporation, set out the arguments an announced the development of a new glider, intended for basic training and yet capable of soaring and aerobatics.  This was the Franklin PS-2, standing for 'Primary and Secondary too'.  The designer was R.E. Franklin.  The Franklin proved itself fully up to expectations and was very popular.  Some 54 were built, by far the largest number of any single type of glider in the USA at that time."

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "It was aimed at the same market as the Grunau Baby and was very similar, but with improvements.  The fuselage, with narrow neck and rounded decking ahead of the cockpit, resembled that of the Stanavo, and there was a wheel.  Hirth and Schempp, during their American experience, had appreciated the need for this as an aid to ground handling, aero towing and winch launching, which were now the norm."

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "This unusual prototype flew in 1935 and was taken to the Rhön meeting.  Perhaps it was inevitable that the Göppingen 3, a smaller version of the Moazagotl, should be called the Minimoa. ... Production began in 1936.  There is no doubt the Minimoa was everything Hirth had hoped for, stable and strong with a good performance.  The best glide was measured at 25.7:1 in 1938.  This was probably no better than contemporary sailplanes of similar span from other designers and factories, but, because of its very distinctive and graceful shape, the Minimoa became very well known and admired."  At right are 2 scanned pages from the book related to the Minimoa.

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "The Gövier, a two seater with side by side seating, designed by Wolfgang Hütter and Hirth together, came from the Göppingen factory in August 1938 and entered production in October.  Company records suggest that more than 100 were built, there may have been more." 

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "The Grunau Baby was an immediate success and Schneider began production.  Not only the Grunau school but clubs all over Germany and elsewhere placed orders.  Six Grunau Babies entered the Rhön competitions in 1932 and by the end of the year twenty two had been sold.  Sets of plans were made available for amateur and other production."

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "The success of this type exceeded all expectations.  Its appearance on the market came at the right time.  It was inexpensive.  The handling was adequate for beginners yet 'Silver C' flights (five hours duration, 1000 meters gain of height, and 50 km distance) were quite within reach.  By the end of 1933 Schneider was producing a GB2 every three days."

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "The wing had a high aspect ratio, the pilot was in a semi prone or half kneeling position faired with a smoothly contoured canopy.  The controls were operated by a yoke and there was a padded chin rest, essential if the pilot was to look directly ahead for long periods."

Model Review by Mark J. Davies

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "For flying in the Austrian Alps, the brothers Wolfgang and Ulrich Hütter of Salzburg designed a small, 10 meter span single seat sailplane which they expected to achieve a glide ratio of 17:1.  Hence it was named the Hütter 17 or H-17.  It resembled a small Grunau Baby, with high wing of Gö 535 profile, strut braced, above a hexagonal box fuselage with open cockpit.  However, the ailerons were slotted to ensure good response at all times and everything possible was done for easy building.  As soon as the prototype had been proved satisfactory, plans were published and about a dozen sets were sold quickly.  After this, the Hütters joined the Schempp-Hirth Company in Göppingen, as designers.  The H-17 became the Göppingen 5.  A landing wheel and canopy, with a windscreen were added.  A few were built in the factory and many more plans were sold."

model in photos above by: Mark J. Davies

model in photo above by: Ernie Lee

Included

• Complete Airframe
• Glazed Cockpit Canopy - can be displayed 'Open' or 'Closed'
• Photo-Etched Cockpit Detailing Set - including Instrument Panels, Seat Harness, Canopy side-window frames
• Optional Tail Wheel or Skid
• Cockpit Canopy Paint Mask
• Assembly and Painting Instructions
• 4 page Photographic 'In Detail' Supplement
• Decal Set

Color Schemes Included (see assembly instructions at right)

• LET L-13 Blanik - OK-4831 — Aeroklub Zbraslavice, Czechoslovakia, 1979
• LET L-13 Blanik - N59228 — Mississippi State University Soaring Club, Starkville, Mississippi, USA, 1986
• LET L-13 Blanik - YU-5331 — 'The PHANTOM of the SKY', Belgrade Sport Airfield Lisiciji Jarak, Serbia & Montenegro, 2005
• LET L-13 Blanik - C-FCVQ — Bromont Airport [ZBM/CZBM], Quebec, Canada, August 2005
• LET L-13 Blanik - OE-0758 — 'Red Bull', Aigen im Ennstal [LOXA], Austria, September 2007
• LET L-13 Blanik - N2414J — 'N3TR', Pemberton Soaring Centre, at the Arlington Fly-In, Washington, U.S.A., July 2008

The excellent 1997 SSA Sailplane Directory includes an excellent write-up, specifications and photo of this glider.  A quote from the book: "An all-metal flush riveted sailplane with fabric covered control surfaces, the Blanik is stressed for aerobatics and has held many two-place records."

The excellent book Sailplanes 1945 - 1965 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photo and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "The Blanik (named after a mountain near Prague) was designed from the beginning as an advanced training sailplane.  Nevertheless it had an impressive performance and broke many two seat records both nationally and internationally, including the World Two Seat Distance Record of 921 km by Juri Kouznetsov in 1967 and the Absolute Altitude Record of 7,748 m (25,421 ft) in 1961 by the Czech pilot Hudcova Urbacka.  Even more noteworthy in some respects was the trans-Andean soaring flight from Santiago de Chile into Argentina by Alejo Williamson Davila in 1964.  For this flight the pilot was awarded the FAI Lilienthal Medal."

See also the large and detailed 1:32 scale L-13 Blanik resin kit from Planet Models, and the Let L-13 Blanik and Let L-13A Blanik plastic injection molded model kit from Profiline.

model in photo above by: Ed Russell

• Complete airframe
• Glazed cockpit canopy (2)
• Detailed cockpit interior
• Airbrakes (can be displayed 'open' or 'closed')
• Tailwheel or skid
• Painted photo-etched detailing set with seat harnesses and instrument panels, etc. (see photo at right)
• Cockpit canopy paint mask (see photo at right - It's tough to see the cut-outs in the photo, but they are also shown in the assembly instructions.)
• Assembly and painting instructions
• 5 page photographic "in detail" supplement
• Decal set

The excellent book Sailplanes 1945 - 1965 by Martin Simons includes a brief mention of this glider.  A quote from the book, "Production (of the Blanik L-13) ceased but a fully aerobatic version, the L-13AC with wing span reduced to 13.85 meters and a smaller rudder was introduced in 1997".

See also the large and detailed 1:32 scale L-13 Blanik resin kit from Planet Models, and the Let L-13 Blanik and Let L-13A Blanik plastic injection molded model kit from Profiline.

• Complete airframe
• Glazed cockpit canopy (2 each of 2 types)
• Detailed cockpit interior
• Airbrakes (can be displayed 'open' or 'closed')
• Tailwheel or skid
• Wingtip detail (with or without wingtip wheel)
• Optional tail wheels (2 types)
• Painted photo-etched detailing set with seat harnesses, instrument panels, canopy hinges, side window frames, etc. (see photo at right)
• Cockpit canopy paint mask (see photo at right - It's tough to see the cut-outs in the photo, but they are also shown in the assembly instructions.)
• Assembly and painting instructions
• 5 page photographic "in detail" supplement
• Decal set

The excellent book Sailplanes 1945 - 1965 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "Five years after production of the L-13 Blanik ceases, the decision was taken in 1984 to produce a new version of the Blanik.  There was all-round simplification of the structure.  Other improvements included a T-tail, mounted on a slightly swept-back vertical fin.  The cockpit also was changed to improve the view from the rear seat and give the instructor more room.  Most of the well-proved features, the swept forward wings and air brakes, were retained.  The semi-retracting main wheel remained, this having proved useful for training students in the correct drills for take off and landing.  The Super Blanik is light and easy to handle on the ground, and has an adequate performance for training and even early cross-country flying instruction."

See also the large and detailed 1:32 scale L-13 Blanik resin kit from Planet Models, and the Let L-13 Blanik and Let L-13A Blanik plastic injection molded model kit from Profiline.

Information from the LET web site:

"The high ratings of the L 33 Solo all-metal single-seat glider are the result of sophisticated design development incorporating the latest in the soaring technology. The comfort and ease of flight and it's durability make it and obvious choice for all soaring enthusiasts. It is intended for an advance training and a performance soaring.

Pilots who received their initial dual instructions in the L 13 Blanik or L 23 Blanik will find the transition to the L 33 Solo absolutely natural.

The L 33 Solo is an all-metal single-seat cantilever mid-high wing sailplane with a semi-monocoque fuselage, fixed gear and cantilevar T-tail surfaces. It is manufactured according to the requirements of JAR 22 and is Type Certified in the Czech Republic, USA, UK, Germany, Hungary, Canada, Japan and Argentina."

Specifications
Wing Span: 14.12 m (46 ft 5 in)
Length: 6.62 m (21 ft 8 in)
Height: 1.43 m (4 ft 8 in)
Wing Area: 11 m² (118.4 ft²)
Wing Aspect Ratio: 18,12

Empty Weight: 210 kg 463 lbs
Maximum Take-Off Weight: 340 kg 750 lbs

Performance
Best Glide Ratio at 90 km/hr (49 knots): 33
Minimum Rate of Sink at 68 km/hr (37knots): 0.66 m/s 2.16 ft/s
Minimum Stalling Speed for 320 kg (705 lbs): 65 km/hr 35 knots
Maximum Allowed Speed: 248 km/hr 134 knots
Maximum Rough Air Speed: 158 km/hr 85 knots
Maximum Aero-Tow Speed: 158 km/hr 85 knots
Maximum Winch-Launching Speed: 130 km/hr 70 knots
G limits: +5,3 / -2,65


The kit includes:

• Complete Airframe
• Glazed Cockpit Canopy
• Photo-Etched Cockpit Detailing Set - including: Instrument Panels, Seat Harness and Air Brakes
• Cockpit Canopy Paint Mask
• Assembly and Painting Instructions
• 6-page Photographic 'In Detail' Supplement
• Decal Set

Color Schemes:

• LET L-33 Solo - N291BA — '95', Chicago/Rockford International Airport, 10th November 2005 - Owner: Curt Lewis Jr.
  The photos below are of Curt Lewis Jr.'s Solo.  Curt's comments: "I ordered my L33 direct from factory with just red wing and elevator tips to have it look more "contemporary".  I added my "95" competition ID.  My L33 was OFTEN mistaken for "glass" ... even sitting on the ground :) "
  
• LET L-33 Solo - OK-4404 — 'JW', Aeroklub Jihlava, Czech Republic
• LET L-33 Solo - OK-4407 — Aeroklub Beroun, Czech Republic
• TG-10D Peregrine — USAF Academy, 306th Flying Training Group, 94th Flying Training Squadron, 2002 to present
• LET — Letecké Závody Aircraft Corporation

The excellent book Sailplanes 1945 - 1965 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "To accompany the Blanik (L-23), a 14.12m span all metal single-seater for early solo pilots, the L-33 Solo was designed and successfully marketed.  The prototype was entered in the design competition for the World Class but did not win."

• Complete airframe
• Glazed cockpit canopy (2)
• Painted photo-etched detailing set with seat harnesses and instrument panels, etc. (see photo at right)
• Cockpit canopy paint mask (see photo at right - It's tough to see the cut-outs in the photo, but they are also shown in the assembly instructions.)
• Assembly and painting instructions
• 2 page "in detail" supplement
• Decal set

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "When the US Army needed two seat sailplanes for the wartime training program, Laister offered his services and was commissioned to design a two seat version of the Yankee Doodle 2.  Like its single seat predecessor, it had wooden wings and steel tube fuselage, the seats in tandem with the usual vision problems for the rear pilot. ... Production began in 1942 and 156 were completed.  After the war, surplus sailplanes were sold cheaply and became popular sporting sailplanes.  Many national records were broken in the type.  A few remain in service."

• Complete airframe
• Glazed cockpit canopy (2)
• Detailed cockpit interior
• Painted photo-etched detailing set with seat harnesses and instrument panels, etc. (see photo at right)
• Cockpit canopy paint mask (see photo at right - It's tough to see the cut-outs in the photo, but they are also shown in the assembly instructions.)
• Assembly and painting instructions
• 2 page "in detail" supplement
• Decal set

Model Review by Mark J. Davies

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "The G-1 was originally a civilian design but, making its appearance early in the Second World War it became absorbed into the military glider pilot training program.  In the training role the performance was quite adequate and the G-1 was adopted by the US Navy as the LNE-1.  A few were also taken by the Army as the TG-32.  A total of 75 were built.  Like other military two-seaters, they were sold cheaply after the war.  Most notably, two were used in the scientific research work on standing waves in the lee of the Californian Sierra Nevada.  The world height record was broken by Larry Edgar and Howard Klieforth in March 1952, 13,849 m (45,439 ft), during these studies.  In April 1955 one of the Pratt Reads, flown by Edgar, was destroyed at 4500 meters (14765 ft) altitude in severe turbulence in the rotor of a wave.  Edgar was thrown clear and was able to use his parachute."

• Complete Airframe
• Glazed Cockpit Canopy
• Photo-Etched Cockpit Detailing Set - including Instrument Panels and Seat Harness
• Cockpit Canopy Paint Mask
• Assembly and Painting Instructions
• Photographic 'In Detail' Supplement
• Decal Set

Color Schemes:

• Ka-4 Rhönlerche II - D-4116 — Wasserkuppe, Germany
• Ka-4 Rhönlerche II - D-4302 — Segelflugschule, Wasserkuppe, Germany
• Ka-4 Rhönlerche II - N7894 — S/n:93/58, USA. Year of construction: 1958, complete restoration: 2000
• Ka-4 Rhönlerche II - PH-239 — S/n:157, 'Misch Masch': Leen Le Bruin, ZC Flevo, Soesterberg Gliding Field, Netherlands
• Ka-4 Rhönlerche II - HB-969 — C/n:3031, Switzerland. Year of construction: 1963
• Ka-4 Rhönlerche II - OK-A201 — 'K4', 'Spielwaren Reimann', AK Raná, Czech Republic
• Ka-4 Rhönlerche II - D-6331 — 'XL', 'STIEBEL ELTRON', Germany

Model Review by Mark J. Davies

The excellent book Rhön-Adler - 75 years - Alexander Schleicher Sailplane Company by Peter F. Selinger includes an excellent write-up, photos, scale drawings and specifications of this glider.  A quote from the English translation of the book, "The development and construction of the "Rhönlerche II" ("Rhoen-Lark") two-seater, which was intended for beginner training, occurred during a difficult time for Rudolf Kaiser.  At that time he commuted between Dachau (Scheibe), Poppenhausen (Schleicher) and his hometown in Waldsachsen near Coburg.  ... the "Rhönlerche II" was intended to be the workhorse for initial glider training.  The desired characteristics for such a glider are a robust structure and good-natured and pleasant flight behavior.  Good flight performance is a secondary concern.  Soon the "Rhönlerche II" acquired the nickname "Rhönstein" ("Rhoen-Rock") because of the poor glide ratio compared with other sailplanes.  While the type is now mostly replaced by composite two-seaters, the "Rhönlerche II" remains very popular with vintage glider buffs.  In 1963 Schleicher terminated the production of the "Rhönlerche II" after 338 of them had been built.  This number includes sailplanes built under license or in a club.  In 1983 there were 147 "Rhönlerche II" flying in Germany while on January 31st, 2002 only 28 remained."

The excellent book Sailplanes 1920 - 1945 by Martin Simons includes an excellent write-up, photos and scale drawings of this glider.  A quote from the book, "The Kirby Kadet was produced by Slingsby as a trainer just one step better than the primary Dagling, capable of soaring well enough for inexperienced pilots to gain their 'C' badges.  The Kadet came up to expectations.  Over 430 were built altogether, the most numerous of all British gliders."

Paul E. Remde

8661 Connelly Place
Savage, Minnesota 55378
USA

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