Perhaps if the PW5 didnt look like it does there wouldn't
be as much debate about the world class? I think the
overall idea of the single design class etc. was well
founded with great intentions, but after seeing the
selection of platforms which were put forward to become
the single design; i'd have probably asked them all
to 're-tender'. If a design which looks similar to
a current std class glider were put forward at the
cost and specification of the pw5 (with perhaps at
slightly better performance), i beleive it would have
been a more rousing success.

Back in reference to the thread, Jon's original post
says it all...

A glider with 1940's performance made for a single
design competition at a y2k price that looks like the
pw5 is destined to failure in gliding and will never
represent 'value for money'. I beleive it would have
been far easier to try change the design of the PW5
or similar than try and socially engineer the gliding
populis's ways and personalities.

Chris ;-)