"Alf" wrote in message roups.com...
As I am a pondering the purchase of a new sailplane, I haven't seen to
much about the SZD-55.
Is it an outdated design? I can't find any vices with it, other than
there are not many for sale. I see more jantars than 55's.
On paper, for the price, it looks like a good performer with good handling.

Some 55's owners explained how happy they are with theirs sailplanes.
I would just like to point the question of the "outdated design".
Last year, a German pilot, Michael Sommer, confirmed excellent
performances of this glider by winning - on board of a SZD-55 the
Australian Championship in the class 15 m in Gulgong. There is no
error, you did read well : in 15 m class, not in the standard class !
In one of tasks, he reached the average speed of 159,55 km/h in a race
of 421 km...