On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 2:23:46 PM UTC-7, WB wrote:
A similar concept, flat-panel, pre-fab composite version of a K-18 was make
by a Brit once upon a time and looked pretty good. Don't know what became of it.

That would be the Edgley EA9 Optimist, which I bring up here periodically:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/art...ototype-24019/
http://www.retroplane.net/forum/files/optimist_195.pdf
http://www.faulkes.com/dfet/index.ph...sailplanes-ltd

I think the major mistake that they made (and I remember it being discussed at the time) was not coming up with a two-seater (think modernized ASK-13) as their first design. Even back then, there was a need for affordable training gliders to replace aging K-7s, K-13s, 2-33s, and Blaniks.

We've spent the past few years designing and building an "affordable" truck-based winch, making heavy use of CAD design and CNC fabrication, while minimizing the amount of skilled labor required (machining and welding). We start testing in the next few weeks. One big problem we're having is getting hold of a decent training glider with a CG hook for testing and training. If we want to get soaring back on its feet again in the US, we need a rugged training glider in the 30:1 or so range that is affordable out of pocket by a small group of people, say $50K (and, no, I don't think a clapped-out G103 with a 300 lb useful load is an option). It's time to explore lower cost fabrication techniques...

Marc