On Friday, November 4, 2016 at 10:19:09 PM UTC-5, Mike C wrote:
On Friday, November 4, 2016 at 8:53:26 PM UTC-6, Mike C wrote:
On Friday, November 4, 2016 at 7:32:39 PM UTC-6, wrote:
The question was how does the RJ 5 in its prime performance condition rate in the current Sports Class handicap system. An internet search for the RJ5 measured polar was unsuccessful . It would be interesting to compare the RJ5 polar to a Standard Cirrus, ASW 20, Sisu 1A, etc. the RJ5 was a break through and led the way to modern sailplanes.

Try Soaring mag archives. It has a search function.

Mike

Found the polar in the August 1960 issue of Soaring. It also includes comparison polars for the HP-8 and Phoenix.

Mike




Thanks for the reply. For some reason the first search on Soaring archives did not show Aug 1960. When learning to fly as a teen in 1959, the RJ 5 was a supership compared to the surplus WWII training gliders flown by the soaring community. Today the RJ 5 seems to be matched by the Standard Class gliders of the 1970s, Standard Cirrus, ASW 15, etc., hardly superships by current production standards. Yet, a 535 mile flight was made for a world record. Wally Scott's 455 mile flight to a declared goal in a K6 set a world record. Sailplanes with handicap ratings near 1.00 have ample performance for Diamond distance, goal, and all other badge flights. All possible on modest soaring budgets.