Someone at the gliderport brought in a 1969 version of "Joy of
Soaring". It was fascinating to flip through the pages. Many things
are the same then as now.

There were several pictures of gliders; Diamant, Standard Libelle,
1-26, 2-33, Sisu, Skylark 4, Dart, Kestrel - all of which I have heard
of - and a BJ-4 which I have never heard of. The sailplane directory
only mentions, with zero deails, a Beatty-Johl BJ-3.
http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/Pl...cfm?PlaneID=44.

The configuration of the glider is rather different in several
aspects.

- The horizontal stap appears to be a counter-balanced all flying tail
with 2 visible weights on ~12" booms attached to the leading edge.
- The horizontal and vertical stabs are overly large.
- There is a small vertical stab below the fuselage that also houses
the tail wheel.
- There is something 3-4" long trailing from the wings at regular
intervals.
- The aspect ratio of the wing seems very high.
- There is a visible gap between the wing and the ailerons.
- The registration appears to be "ZS-GFD" which is South African.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_registration
- The competition number is "4".

Can anyone tell me more about this glider? Sure wish that Dick
Johnson was still around, I'd bet that he'd know in a heartbeat.

I will try to scan in a copy and get it on the web.

- John DeRosa