On Monday, August 11, 2014 1:33:07 PM UTC-5, Tony wrote:
The only successful one design competition in the world for sailplanes that I know of is the Schweizer 1-26 Championships.


Sorry, but I will have to disagree a bit on the 1-26 as a "One Design" class. Same external shape of the wing and horizontal, same general layout on fuselage, differeing vertical based on model and the real big change: 1-26 and 1-26A gross weight 575 lbs. 1-26B and 1-26C gross weight 600 lbs. 1-26 D and E gross weight 700 lbs. With empty weights changing almost to match.

But, the guys flying them are willing to accept the differences, and still call it a "one design contest."

Now, back to the original discussion. Small fuselages and skinny pilots have an unfair advantage. Talk to an aerodynamicist. Wing span is measured from tip to tip. You don't have "longer wings" by having a "skinnier fuselage". Wing Area INCLUDES the planform "in" the fuselage, so a skinnier fuselage does NOT change area or aspect ratio. Any performance change is due to reduced total wetted area (less on fuselage, slightly more exposed wing skin). And the benefit is likely to be larger the faster you fly. But, as others have said, the difference between planes of the same type is likely as big or bigger than what is seen between a small fuselage and the "average" fuselage of otherwise the same type.

Just my opinion.

Steve