Scheibe Zugvogel Explained

The Scheibe Zugvogel (English: Migratory bird) is a West German, high-wing, single-seat, FAI Open Class glider that was produced by Scheibe Flugzeugbau. The first version was designed by Rudolph Kaiser and subsequent versions by Egon Scheibe.[1] [2] [3]

Design and development

The Zugvogel was designed with the goal of a simple and inexpensive, but high performance, open class competition glider, with quick assembly. It was developed through several variants before production ended after 100 had been completed.

The aircraft is of mixed construction, with a welded steel tube fuselage covered in doped aircraft fabric covering, wooden framed tail surfaces covered in fabric and wooden wings. The 171NaN1 span wing uses a NACA 63-616 airfoil at the wing root, changing to a NACA 63-614 section at the wing tip. The wing uses dive brakes for glidepath control. The nose is covered with fibreglass. The landing gear is a fixed monowheel.[4]

The Zugvogel IIIB was type certified in the United States on 6 May 1964. Zugvogel IIIAs operated in the US are in the Experimental - Racing/Exhibition category.[5] [6]

Operational history

US glider pilot Helen Dick set a number of US national feminine single-place records in her Zugvogel IIIB between 1964 and 1967. These included a distance of 492.21NaN1, distance to goal of 364.61NaN1 and an out and return distance of 4001NaN1.

In July 2011 there were three Zugvogel IIIAs and two IIIBs registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration and two Zugvogel IIIAs and four IIIBs registered with the British Civil Aviation Authority.[7]

Variants

Zugvogel I
  • Initial version
    Zugvogel II
  • Improved version
    Zugvogel III
  • Improved version
    Zugvogel IIIA
  • 171NaN1 wingspan, 37.8:1 glide ratio.
    Zugvogel IIIB
  • Similar to the IIIA, but with a shallower fuselage.
    Zugvogel IV
  • Zugvogel IVA
  • Scheibe SF-27 Zugvogel V
  • FAI Standard Class development
    Loravia LCA-10 Topaze:
  • Loravia LCA-11 Topaze:

    • Aircraft on display

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Zugvogel 3 Scheibe. 21 July 2011. Activate Media. 2006. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111117093640/http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?planeID=391. 17 November 2011.
    2. Said. Bob. 1983 Sailplane Directory. Soaring Magazine. November 1983. 98. 0037-7503.
    3. Simons, Martin, Sailplanes 1945-1965, (Ed: Eqip) p.162
    4. Web site: The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage . 1 July 2011. Lednicer . David . 2010.
    5. Web site: Type Certificate Data Sheet No. G4EU . 21 July 2011. Federal Aviation Administration. September 1965.
    6. Web site: Make / Model Inquiry Results. 21 July 2011. Federal Aviation Administration. July 2011.
    7. Web site: GINFO Search Results Summary. 21 July 2011. Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom). July 2011.

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