DFS SG 38 Schulgleiter explained

The Schneider DFS 108-14 SG-38 Schulgleiter (School glider) is a German high-wing, cable-braced, single-seat primary glider that was designed by Schneider, Rehberg and Hofmann at Edmund Schneider's factory at Grunau in 1938, hence the designation. It was produced by several builders, including Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (DFS).[1] [2]

Design and development

The SG 38 was designed to be a training glider for basic flight training by the Nationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps (NSFK). The usual launch method was by bungee cord from a sloped hill. Because training was conducted solely by solo flight the aircraft had to be very easy to fly and also easy to repair.

The high-wing design uses a kingpost and cable bracing. The primary structure of the glider is of wood, with the wings, tail surfaces and inverted "V" kingpost all finished in doped aircraft fabric covering. The pilot sits on a simple seat in the open air, without a windshield.

The basic configuration was similar to earlier gliders such as the Stamer Lippisch Zögling and the Grunau IX, but the SG 38 was an entirely new design. Improvements included enlarged tail surfaces for better stability, a separate skid mounted on shock-absorbing springs, and an updated seat for the pilot.[3]

Operational history

The SG-38 played a critical role in pilot training for the Luftwaffe in the Second World War, as a simple, but robust, trainer for the rapid increase in the number of pilots needed by Germany. It was commonly flown by bungee launch on the slopes of the Wasserkuppe and the hills of Saarmund.

From 1949 to 1951 Spain's AISA produced 50 licence-built aircraft.[4]

In the UK, Elliotts of Newbury built a copy of the SG.38 called the Elliotts Primary EoN; its version first flown in 1948 and used by the RAF as the Eton TX.1.

Aircraft on display

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Basic Training Glider SG 38, 1938. 14 May 2011. Deutsches Museum. n.d.. 2 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150602070443/http://www.deutsches-museum.de/en/collections/transport/aeronautics/sailplanes/basic-training-glider-sg-38.
  2. Web site: Schneider Schulgleiter SG 38 . 19 August 2011 . . n.d. . https://web.archive.org/web/20110913154619/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=16888 . 13 September 2011 .
  3. Sailplanes 1920-1945, Martin Simons, EQIP, 2001
  4. Web site: Fotografía del Aisa Schneider Shulgleiter. 25 March 2013. Museo del Aire. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20131015225357/http://www.ejercitodelaire.mde.es/ea/pag?idDoc=CC080F0B0240A9D7C125747A002415EA&idImg=1850315910A615E1C125747A0026FC8B. 15 October 2013.
  5. Web site: Website DFm. 27 June 2015. 2015.
  6. Web site: List'In MAE . 23 May 2011 . 2011 . fr . https://web.archive.org/web/20110721055552/http://www.pyperpote.tonsite.biz/listinmae/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=41%3Ahall-e-apres-guerresaint-exuperyaviation-civi&Itemid=54&layout=default&limitstart=20 . 21 July 2011 .
  7. Web site: Força Aérea Portuguesa – Museu do Ar – Sintra. Museu do Ar. March 14, 2013. Portuguese. https://web.archive.org/web/20121230013508/http://www.emfa.pt/www/po/musar/s-003.006.001-aeronaves. December 30, 2012.
  8. Web site: 1938 Schneider SG38 (EoN Primary). 25 April 2016. 12 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160812105335/http://www.shuttleworth.org/collection/eonprimary/. dead.

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