wrote in message
...
In ca. 1964 I bought [already second-hand then] a Russian
multiband radio, which I'm still using. So there are
quality products produced in Russia ?

There are certainly quality products made in eastern Europe, and aircraft
are among them.

Several existing designs from Europe and USA still
give excelent gliders, especially for training purposes.
The main problem is the labour intensity [too many
jobs] for expensive Western labour.

In my experience, a trainer needs to be an airframe that you don't mind
exposing to the elements. A trainer spends its days (and often nights) either
in use or tied out near the launch area. They seldom see a hanger, and fly so
often that it is impractical to continually derig and trailer-stow them. Given
today's choices of materials, I am not sure that wood is a good alternative.
Personally, I like metal for a trainer.

Also, wood may not be the best choice for all climates. Here in south
Florida, I have yet to see a wooden glider, and I see few wood (or wooden spar)
airplanes. I don't know from direct experience, but I suspect that there is a
good reason for that.

Vaughn