Glasflügel H-301

The Glasflügel H-301 Libelle is an early composite single-seat sailplane produced by Glasflügel from 1964 to 1969. The H-301 had camber-changing wing flaps so was required to compete in the Open Class because the Standard Class excluded wing flaps. It was often known as the Open Class Libelle.

H-301 Libelle
H-301 being launched by winch
Role 15-metre class sailplane
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Glasflügel
First flight 1964
Number built 111

Development

In 1964 the H-301 Libelle ("Dragonfly") received the first German and first U.S. Type Certificate issued to an all-fiberglass aircraft. It had flaps, water ballast and retractable landing gear.

There are two canopy variants: the normal canopy and a sleeker, lower-profiled 'racing' canopy with no side vent. The canopy is unique in that it has a catch that enables the front to be raised by 25 mm (1 in) in flight to provide a flow of ventilating air instead of the more conventional small sliding panel used for this purpose.

The American Wil Schuemann pioneered several performance-enhancing modifications to the type, including a re-profiled wing, converting the airfoil to a Wortmann section, various fairings, a new canopy and a reshaped fuselage nose. Aircraft incorporating these changes are informally known as 'Schümanised' Libelles.[1]

Design
  • Wings: spar and shell of balsa or foam / reinforced plastic sandwich
  • Ailerons: balsa or synthetic foam / reinforced plastic sandwich.
  • Horizontal stabilizer: reinforced plastic
  • Elevator: reinforced plastic
  • Automatic connections for airbrakes, flaps and elevator. Ailerons are connected by a "pip" pin

The H-201 Standard Libelle was developed in 1967 as a Standard Class variant.

The Libelle was a popular and influential design. Its light wings and easy rigging set a new benchmark.

Handling is generally easy except that it is sensitive to sideslipping and has relatively ineffective airbrakes that make short landings tricky for inexperienced pilots.

The H-201 Libelle (standard class) was superseded by the Hornet.

The H-301 Libelle (open class) was superseded by the Mosquito.

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 50 kg (110 lb) water ballast
  • Length: 6.19 m (20 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 9.5 m2 (102 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 23.6
  • Empty weight: 180 kg (400 lb)
  • Gross weight: 300 kg (660 lb)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 200 km/h (124 mph, 108 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: ca. 39
  • Rate of sink: 0.55 m/s (108 ft/min)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. Rogers, Bennett: 1974 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 52. Soaring Society of America, August 1974. USPS 499-920
Wikimedia Commons has media related to H301 Libelle.
  • Thomas F, Fundamentals of Sailplane Design, College Park Press, 1999
  • Simons M, Segelflugzeuge 1965–2000, Eqip, 2004
  • Sailplane Directory
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