Briegleb BG-12

The Briegleb BG-12 is a single-seat sailplane of wooden construction developed in the United States in the 1950s. It was marketed for homebuilding in plans or kit form, with over 350 sets of plans selling by 1978. The BG-12 is a conventional sailplane design, with a high cantilever wing and a conventional empennage. Later models featured a highly-revised fuselage, a swept-forward tail fin, and an all flying tailplane with balance tabs.

Variants

BG 12

prototype derived from BG-6

BG 12A

Initial market version

BG 12B

1963 version with revised wing

BG 12BD

BG 12B with revised wing and ailerons

BG 12C

Flapless 15 metre wing to meet FAI Standard Class requirements, one built.

BG 12/16

Revised, lower-drag fuselage and tail fin, all flying tailplane

Jobagy Bagyjo

BG-12 fuselage and empennage with Cherokee II Wings. Built in 1962 by John Jobagy, currently on display at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary^[1]

Niedrauer NG-1

BG-12/16 fuselage shortened 9 inches and lengthened to accommodate reclined pilot position. BG-12B Horizontal tail. Airfoil changed to a NACA 4400 series. L/D of 35:1 at 55 mph (89 km/h).^[2]

Aircraft on display

• US Southwest Soaring Museum^[3]
• Aero Space Museum of Calgary^[4]
• National Soaring Museum^[5]

Specifications (BG 12BD)

General characteristics

• Crew: One pilot
• Length: 21 ft 11 in (6.68 m)
• Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
• Height: 4 ft 0 in (1.22 m)
• Wing area: 141 ft² (13.1 m²)
• Aspect ratio: 17.7
• Empty weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
• Gross weight: 900 lb (409 kg)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 135 mph (217 km/h)
• Maximum glide ratio: 34
• Rate of sink: 136 ft/min (0.7 m/s)

See also

Related development

• Briegleb BG-6
  

Related lists

• List of Gliders
  

References

1. ^ Soaring, July 1962
2. ^ Hall, Stan (June 1975). "Homebuilder's Hall". Soaring 39: 32. 
3. ^ US Southwest Soaring Museum (2010). "Sailplanes, Hang Gliders & Motor Gliders". http://swsoaringmuseum.org/collection.htm. Retrieved 26 May 2011. 
4. ^ "Collection". http://www.asmac.ab.ca/aerospace/main_collection.asp?acc_code=007&other_01=nv002. Retrieved 26 May 2011. 
5. ^ "Collection". http://www.soaringmuseum.org/collection.html. Retrieved 13 October 2011. 

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 203. 
• sailplanedirectory.com
• plans sheet 12046