Don Johnstone wrote:
If you have flown a 17 why would you want either of
the others. My 17 is finished in acrylic but not for
sale.


Cost! LAK 12's available in the West are all generally newer than 1992
with some as late as 1998. A used LAK 12 would generally be in better
condition than a Nimbus 2 or ASW 17 and also be a lot cheaper. A good,
used ~8 year old LAK 12 will generally cost less than a 15m German
Glider ~20-25 years old or a ~25-30 year old ASW 17 or Nimbus 2.
Jantars usually go for a little more than a LAK 12 but not as much as
the German aircraft. Most Western LAK 12's on the market have had their
original Russian glide computers and radios replaced by more modern
Western instruments.

Downside of the LAK 12 and the early Jantars are the single piece wings
and resultant long, heavy trailers. Upside is more water ballast and
epoxy or polyurethane finishes which should be more durable than gel
coats. My LAK 12 was recently repaired and painted after being damaged
in the hangar. The AP doing the repair commented a number of times how
well the aircraft is built. The aircraft now has a beautiful, white
polyurethane finish which is far more attractive than the original,
dull, slightly beige epoxy finish.

I love flying my LAK 12 but rigging it is a pain. I keep it rigged in a
hangar but not everybody has hangar space for 20m gliders. At least a
Nimbus can have the outer panels removed and then fit it in a smaller
hangar.

Clinton
LAK 12