Glaser-Dirks DG-100

DG-100
Role Club class (formerly Standard class) sailplane
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Glaser-Dirks/DG Flugzeugbau
Designer Wilhelm Dirks
First flight 10 May 1974[1]
Number built 327
Developed from Akaflieg Darmstadt D-38

The Glaser-Dirks DG-100 of 1974 is the first sailplane manufactured by Glaser-Dirks, developed from the Akaflieg Darmstadt D-38, the Standard class sailplane was designed by Wilhelm Dirks.

Development

The first model had an all-flying tailplane, with anti-balance tabs along the entire trailing edges, and a two-piece canopy (movable and fixed parts), built of GFRP (glass-fibre reinforced plastic)/foam sandwich materials and resin impregnated rovings for high strength parts. Successive developments included the DG-100G, DG-101 and DG-101G. Most models are available with water ballast bags in the wings.

The DG-101 and DG-101G had improvements such as a single-piece front-hinged canopy, improved crash resistant cockpit and a conventional tailplane (with fixed horizontal stabilizer and articulated elevator). There was also a club version of this sailplane with fixed landing gear. All models featured top-surface-only air brakes.

Some later models were also manufactured by the Elan company in Slovenia and can be identified by the word "ELAN" on the fuselage and rudder. The serial number of these gliders is prefixed with "E".

Although these gliders were designed in the 1970s, they are still popular in the Club class and remain competitive in Sports class contests (which are handicapped).

The wing's control surface hookups are non-automatic and utilize L'Hotellier fittings, which must be secured by a secondary means such as a safety pin, safety wire, Uerling Sleeve or Wedekind Sleeve (See this web page for more details on this subject).

The Glaser-Dirks Company declared bankruptcy, after which the newly organized company DG Flugzeugbau GmbH assumed responsibility for servicing the gliders.

Variants

Akaflieg Darmstadt D-38
The prototype designed and built at Darmstadt University of Technology.
DG-100
The initial production version developed by Wilhelm Dirks.
DG-100G
Later production with a conventional tailplane and elevator in place of the all-flying tailplane.
DG-100 Club / Club DG
An unballasted, fixed gear version with a gross weight of 385 kg / 849 lb..
DG-101
The DG-101 introduced a one-piece full length canopy that opened forwards, but retaining the all-flying tail.
DG-101G
Ultimate production version with the one-piece canopy and the conventional tailplane with elevator.


Specifications (DG-100)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83[2]

General characteristics

Performance


Serial Numbering

WERKNUMMERN-SYSTEN FÜR SEGELFLUGZEUGE UND MOTORSEGLER
System of Serial Numbers for Glider and Motorglider

Example Serial Number: E.102.G.72

E - ELAN Manufacturer
102 - 102nd DG-100 built
G - DG-100G series
72 - 72nd built with damped elevator

References

  1. 1 2 Taylor 1982, pp. 612–613.
  2. ↑ Taylor 1982, pp. 620–621.

External links

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