LS3a or Mini Nimbus

Dear All,
Which glider would you choose: LS3a or Mini Nimbus and WHY ? Assuming
similar age and condition, comparable instruments, trailer.

Originally Posted by

Dear All,
Which glider would you choose: LS3a or Mini Nimbus and WHY ? Assuming
similar age and condition, comparable instruments, trailer.

I have flown my Mini-Nimbus for the last six years. A good friend in my club has an LS-3. We often fly XC together and neither plane has a clear advantage in the air. Both ships fly marvelously for their price, but a very significant difference I have found is in assembly/disassembly. While my wings are not light compared to current designs, the LS-3 wings are downright cruel and inhuman to handle. Not only are they heavier than any glass ship I've helped rig, but also they resist going together, which lengthens the amount of time you are half bent over holding the beasts.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my Mini and think it delivers great performance for the price. The only time I'll trade it in is when I can afford one of those shiny, new, thin wings that go upwind better than I can.

You will probably have a blast with either plane. Let us know which you chose and how it turns out after you've flown it.

V7

Vic7 wrote:
the LS-3 wings are downright cruel and inhuman to handle.

LS3 wings are considerably heavier than LS3A wings, due to lead mass
balance weights in the flaperons which were eliminated in the A and 17
models...

Marc

the LS-3 wings are downright cruel and inhuman to
handle.


I consider the LS-3 one of the very best values in
used sailplanes, I fly a Ventus B and below 80 knots
they do quite well on the run, and climb very well.

Both the LS3 owners I fly with self-rig using home-made
versions of Udo's tool...so they don't deal with the
weight of the wing. I think self-riggers are way under-rated
for usefullnes IMVHO.

Just wondering, given the history of LS gliders why the LS-3 was not at
the top of score sheets like the LS1,2,4,6,and 8? When was it a
current design and which glider was the "it" glider durning the LS 3
production run. I had heard that the LS-6 airfoil was based off the LS
3 airfoil.

Roger

On Nov 7, 1:08 pm, Vic7 wrote:
Wrote:

Dear All,
Which glider would you choose: LS3a or Mini Nimbus and WHY ? Assuming
similar age and condition, comparable instruments, trailer.I have flown my Mini-Nimbus for the last six years. A good friend in
my club has an LS-3. We often fly XC together and neither plane has a
clear advantage in the air. Both ships fly marvelously for their
price, but a very significant difference I have found is in
assembly/disassembly. While my wings are not light compared to current
designs, the LS-3 wings are downright cruel and inhuman to handle. Not
only are they heavier than any glass ship I've helped rig, but also
they resist going together, which lengthens the amount of time you are
half bent over holding the beasts.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my Mini and think it delivers great
performance for the price. The only time I'll trade it in is when I
can afford one of those shiny, new, thin wings that go upwind better
than I can.

You will probably have a blast with either plane. Let us know which
you chose and how it turns out after you've flown it.

V7

--
Vic7

Roger wrote:
Just wondering, given the history of LS gliders why the LS-3 was not at
the top of score sheets like the LS1,2,4,6,and 8? When was it a
current design and which glider was the "it" glider durning the LS 3
production run. I had heard that the LS-6 airfoil was based off the LS
3 airfoil.

Roger

Roger,
The biggest problem the LS3 and the Mini had was the ASW20.

K Urban

On Nov 7, 6:09 pm, "Roger" wrote:

production run. I had heard that the LS-6 airfoil was based off the LS
3 airfoil.

The LS-6 airfoil is significantly different than the LS-3, much
thinner.

I believe that each LS3-a wing is 24 lbs lighter than the LS3 wing (48
lbs total).

Ira

Marc Ramsey wrote:
Vic7 wrote:

the LS-3 wings are downright cruel and inhuman to handle.


LS3 wings are considerably heavier than LS3A wings, due to lead mass
balance weights in the flaperons which were eliminated in the A and 17
models...

Marc

The LS-3a is an absolute joy to fly. I owned one for 17 years.

Ira Blieden wrote:
I believe that each LS3-a wing is 24 lbs lighter than the LS3 wing (48
lbs total).

Ira

Marc Ramsey wrote:

Vic7 wrote:

the LS-3 wings are downright cruel and inhuman to handle.



LS3 wings are considerably heavier than LS3A wings, due to lead mass
balance weights in the flaperons which were eliminated in the A and 17
models...

Marc

wrote:
Dear All,
Which glider would you choose: LS3a or Mini Nimbus and WHY ? Assuming
similar age and condition, comparable instruments, trailer.


http://web.archive.org/web/200302011...es/Johnson.asp