BJ-4 Information?

[ContestID67[_2_]]

Someone at the gliderport brought in a 1969 version of "Joy of
Soaring". It was fascinating to flip through the pages. Many things
are the same then as now.

There were several pictures of gliders; Diamant, Standard Libelle,
1-26, 2-33, Sisu, Skylark 4, Dart, Kestrel - all of which I have heard
of - and a BJ-4 which I have never heard of. The sailplane directory
only mentions, with zero deails, a Beatty-Johl BJ-3.
http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?PlaneID=44.

The configuration of the glider is rather different in several
aspects.

- The horizontal stap appears to be a counter-balanced all flying tail
with 2 visible weights on ~12" booms attached to the leading edge.
- The horizontal and vertical stabs are overly large.
- There is a small vertical stab below the fuselage that also houses
the tail wheel.
- There is something 3-4" long trailing from the wings at regular
intervals.
- The aspect ratio of the wing seems very high.
- There is a visible gap between the wing and the ailerons.
- The registration appears to be "ZS-GFD" which is South African.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_registration
- The competition number is "4".

Can anyone tell me more about this glider? Sure wish that Dick
Johnson was still around, I'd bet that he'd know in a heartbeat.

I will try to scan in a copy and get it on the web.

- John DeRosa

[Frank Whiteley]

On Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:39:59 -0700, ContestID67 wrote:

> Someone at the gliderport brought in a 1969 version of "Joy of Soaring".
> It was fascinating to flip through the pages. Many things are the same
> then as now.
>
> There were several pictures of gliders; Diamant, Standard Libelle, 1-26,
> 2-33, Sisu, Skylark 4, Dart, Kestrel - all of which I have heard of -
> and a BJ-4 which I have never heard of. The sailplane directory only
> mentions, with zero deails, a Beatty-Johl BJ-3.
> http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?PlaneID=44.
>
> The configuration of the glider is rather different in several aspects.
>
> - The horizontal stap appears to be a counter-balanced all flying tail
> with 2 visible weights on ~12" booms attached to the leading edge.
> - The horizontal and vertical stabs are overly large.
> - There is a small vertical stab below the fuselage that also houses the
> tail wheel.
> - There is something 3-4" long trailing from the wings at regular
> intervals.
> - The aspect ratio of the wing seems very high.
> - There is a visible gap between the wing and the ailerons.
> - The registration appears to be "ZS-GFD" which is South African.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_registration - The competition
> number is "4".
>
> Can anyone tell me more about this glider? Sure wish that Dick Johnson
> was still around, I'd bet that he'd know in a heartbeat.
>
> I will try to scan in a copy and get it on the web.
>
> - John DeRosa

One of two built according to sailplanedirectory.com

Same wing as BJ-3, aspect ratio of 20.

"The BJ-3A was developed from the BJ-3 in 1968, followed by the BJ-4,
which features a new fuselage and tail unit and uses the existing BJ-3
wings. The original T-tail was replaced by a tall perpendicular fin with
an all-flying tailplane located on the fuselage behind the rudder. The two
BJ-4s were built for the 1970 World Championships."

Image of BJ-3
http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Beatty-Johl
+BJ-3&offset=0

Fowler flaps on the trailing edge.

Frank Whiteley

[ContestID67[_2_]]

As promised you can find scans from "Joy of Soaring" (1969) of the
BJ-4 here => http://aviation.derosaweb.net/images/BJ-4/

If the wings of the BJ-3 were used on the BJ-4 (they sure don't look
the same in the two images) then the fowler flabs shown on the BJ-3
are removed on the BJ-4 image shown in the "Joy of Soaring" - which
would explain why I am seeing the 3"-4" somethings (hinges?) hanging
off the trailing edge.

Frank - Where on http://sailplanedirectory.com are you finding that
information? I cannot find.

Interesting ship.

- John

[Marc Ramsey[_3_]]

At 23:16 01 July 2011, ContestID67 wrote:
>As promised you can find scans from "Joy of Soaring" (1969) of the
>BJ-4 here => http://aviation.derosaweb.net/images/BJ-4/
>
>If the wings of the BJ-3 were used on the BJ-4 (they sure don't look
>the same in the two images) then the fowler flabs shown on the BJ-3
>are removed on the BJ-4 image shown in the "Joy of Soaring" - which
>would explain why I am seeing the 3"-4" somethings (hinges?) hanging
>off the trailing edge.

The reason you don't see the flaps in the BJ-4 pictures is that both the
BJ-3/BJ-4 had variable geometry wings. The flaps retracted inside the
wing, thus increasing the aspect ratio for high speed flight.

I've obviously been in this sport too long, I remember too many obscure
things 8^(

Marc

[Marc Ramsey[_3_]]

At 23:16 01 July 2011, ContestID67 wrote:
>As promised you can find scans from "Joy of Soaring" (1969) of the
>BJ-4 here => http://aviation.derosaweb.net/images/BJ-4/
>
>If the wings of the BJ-3 were used on the BJ-4 (they sure don't look
>the same in the two images) then the fowler flabs shown on the BJ-3
>are removed on the BJ-4 image shown in the "Joy of Soaring" - which
>would explain why I am seeing the 3"-4" somethings (hinges?) hanging
>off the trailing edge.

The reason you don't see the flaps in the BJ-4 pictures is that both the
BJ-3/BJ-4 had variable geometry wings. The flaps retracted inside the
wing, thus increasing the aspect ratio for high speed flight.

I've obviously been in this sport too long, I remember too many obscure
things 8^(

Marc

[Marc Ramsey[_3_]]

At 23:16 01 July 2011, ContestID67 wrote:
>As promised you can find scans from "Joy of Soaring" (1969) of the
>BJ-4 here => http://aviation.derosaweb.net/images/BJ-4/
>
>If the wings of the BJ-3 were used on the BJ-4 (they sure don't look
>the same in the two images) then the fowler flabs shown on the BJ-3
>are removed on the BJ-4 image shown in the "Joy of Soaring" - which
>would explain why I am seeing the 3"-4" somethings (hinges?) hanging
>off the trailing edge.

The reason you don't see the flaps in the BJ-4 pictures is that both the
BJ-3/BJ-4 had variable geometry wings. The flaps retracted inside the
wing, thus increasing the aspect ratio for high speed flight.

I've obviously been in this sport too long, I remember too many obscure
things 8^(

Marc

[[email protected]]

For any who are interested the BJ series of gliders began in South
Africa in the 1960's . Pat Beatty and Fritz Johl were the designers/
builders and eventually the series ran to a B-8( Later designs were by
Pat alone ) .
Pat Beatty was a member of the club I flew out of in Johannesburg the
1970's . He was a truly innovative designer and introduced many unique
ideas into his designs .
His wife Betty, also a glider pilot of some fame in South Africa -
mainly for pioneering wave flying in the Cape town area ( Betty's
wave) wrote a very interesting book entitled " Just for the Love of
Flying" which includes a chapter or two about the BJ series of
gliders . Sadly she and Pat died in a motor accident in 1991. Pat's
gliders including the BJ 2 and BJ 4 established a number of World
Triangle Speed records in the 1970's .

[Marc Ramsey[_3_]]

At 00:58 02 July 2011, Marc Ramsey wrote:
>At 23:16 01 July 2011, ContestID67 wrote:
>The reason you don't see the flaps in the BJ-4 pictures is that both
the
>BJ-3/BJ-4 had variable geometry wings. The flaps retracted inside the
>wing, thus increasing the aspect ratio for high speed flight.
>
>I've obviously been in this sport too long, I remember too many obscure
>things 8^(

Sorry for the repeat, I occasionally manage to do this when posting via
gliderpilot.net. Hey Andy, if you do a 302 Redirect after a post, people
like me won't screw up quite so often. But, thanks for providing an
alternative to the evil Google Groups...

Marc

[Frank Whiteley]

On Jul 1, 5:16*pm, ContestID67 > wrote:
> As promised you can find scans from "Joy of Soaring" (1969) of the
> BJ-4 here =>http://aviation.derosaweb.net/images/BJ-4/
>
> If the wings of the BJ-3 were used on the BJ-4 (they sure don't look
> the same in the two images) then the fowler flabs shown on the BJ-3
> are removed on the BJ-4 image shown in the "Joy of Soaring" - which
> would explain why I am seeing the 3"-4" somethings (hinges?) hanging
> off the trailing edge.
>
> Frank - Where onhttp://sailplanedirectory.comare you finding that
> information? *I cannot find.
>
> Interesting ship.
>
> - John

http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/zwfoud.htm scroll down to the BJ-3
Beatty-Johl

It's at the bottom of the article.

Frank

[Frank Whiteley]

On Jul 1, 7:22*pm, Marc Ramsey >
wrote:
> At 00:58 02 July 2011, Marc Ramsey wrote:
>
> >At 23:16 01 July 2011, ContestID67 wrote:
> >The reason you don't see the flaps in the BJ-4 pictures is that both
> the
> >BJ-3/BJ-4 had variable geometry wings. *The flaps retracted inside the
> >wing, thus increasing the aspect ratio for high speed flight. *
>
> >I've obviously been in this sport too long, I remember too many obscure
> >things 8^(
>
> Sorry for the repeat, I occasionally manage to do this when posting via
> gliderpilot.net. *Hey Andy, if you do a 302 Redirect after a post, people
> like me won't screw up quite so often. *But, thanks for providing an
> alternative to the evil Google Groups...
>
> Marc

Looks like Google Groups is back to current.

Frank

[BruceGreeff]

The BJ series of gliders were a collaboration of Pat Beatty and Fritz Johl.
The objective was to explore radical design options to find the next
quantum leap in performance.

Versions had everything from complex camber changing mechanisms to a
bicycle chain driven variable span system.

The gliders were revolutionary in many ways and enormously strong. They
were also made of obsolete materials for extreme performance. The BJ4
was made obsolete by the composite materials used in the Kestrel, ASW12
and the Nimbus - which it met at the worlds in Marfa.
One story from that contest is that on a retrieve, a passing driver had
the roof of her car removed by the wingtip of one of the BJ4s. The wing
was repaired but it was only some time later that it was discovered that
some of the rivets in the root centre section had sheared.The fit was so
tight that the damage was not visible.

There are a surprising number of survivors, both of the gliders and
their designers and builders. Dave Mortimer - The current chairman of
the Soaring Society of South Africa worked building BJs in his youth and
still has a BJ4 hanging in his factory. Peter Eich who also worked on
construction has a couple (BJ2 and BJ4) - I believe the BJ3 was
cannibalised for the BJ4.

Having helped Peter rig his BJ4 for static display a couple of times I
have two observations ,
1] the design and workmanship is exceptional, the flaps retract into the
trailing edge with tiny clearance, and
2] the weight is extreme. I thought my 19m Kestrel had heavy wing
panels. Definitely designed for high wingloading circumstances...

Pat Beatty died some years ago, his daughter Karin works for Jonker
Sailplanes. If you want more information you could start there...

If you know where to find him, Fritz Johl is approaching his century,
and building very large scale radio controlled gliders with - you
guessed it - amazing complex variable geometry wings.

There is an interview of Fritz done for the 2001 worlds in Mafikeng that
I will have to see if we can get into digital format...

Two outstanding gentlemen.

Cheers
Bruce

[Mike the Strike]

On Jul 2, 6:27*am, BruceGreeff > wrote:
> The BJ series of gliders were a collaboration of Pat Beatty and Fritz Johl.
> The objective was to explore radical design options to find the next
> quantum leap in performance.
>
> Versions had everything from complex camber changing mechanisms to a
> bicycle chain driven variable span system.
>
> The gliders were revolutionary in many ways and enormously strong. They
> were also made of obsolete materials for extreme performance. The BJ4
> was made obsolete by the composite materials used in the Kestrel, ASW12
> and the Nimbus - which it met at the worlds in Marfa.
> One story from that contest is that on a retrieve, a passing driver had
> the roof of her car removed by the wingtip of one of the BJ4s. The wing
> was repaired but it was only some time later that it was discovered that
> some of the rivets in the root centre section had sheared.The fit was so
> tight that the damage was not visible.
>
> There are a surprising number of survivors, both of the gliders and
> their designers and builders. Dave Mortimer - The current chairman of
> the Soaring Society of South Africa worked building BJs in his youth and
> still has a BJ4 hanging in his factory. Peter Eich who also worked on
> construction has a couple (BJ2 and BJ4) - I believe the BJ3 was
> cannibalised for the BJ4.
>
> Having helped Peter rig his BJ4 for static display a couple of times I
> have two observations ,
> 1] the design and workmanship is exceptional, the flaps retract into the
> trailing edge with tiny clearance, and
> 2] the weight is extreme. I thought my 19m Kestrel had heavy wing
> panels. Definitely designed for high wingloading circumstances...
>
> Pat Beatty died some years ago, his daughter Karin works for Jonker
> Sailplanes. If you want more information you could start there...
>
> If you know where to find him, Fritz Johl is approaching his century,
> and building very large scale radio controlled gliders with - you
> guessed it - amazing complex variable geometry wings.
>
> There is an interview of Fritz done for the 2001 worlds in Mafikeng that
> I will have to see if we can get into digital format...
>
> Two outstanding gentlemen.
>
> Cheers
> Bruce

I remember Pat flying one of them at Orient and he was on the grid
ahead of me and my Jantar-1. I recall the air brakes were thin
sawtooth-edged metal that were taped over for flight. Pat cycled them
open then closed and taped over the gap just before launching. It
seemed ingenious to me at the time.

Mike

[cernauta]

On Fri, 1 Jul 2011 16:16:52 -0700 (PDT), ContestID67
> wrote:

>As promised you can find scans from "Joy of Soaring" (1969) of the
>BJ-4 here => http://aviation.derosaweb.net/images/BJ-4/


Please excuse my attemp to give unasked advice...

As a general rule, when scanning from a "halftone" print, in your
scanning software you should always:
- disable any "auto sharpening" filters,
- apply the optional "descreen" filter.

you will be surprised by the increased quality of the resulting image.

aldo cernezzi
www.voloavela.it

[cernauta]

as a source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moir%C3%A9_pattern

[Gary Osoba[_3_]]

On Jul 2, 11:31*am, Mike the Strike > wrote:
> On Jul 2, 6:27*am, BruceGreeff > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > The BJ series of gliders were a collaboration of Pat Beatty and Fritz Johl.
> > The objective was to explore radical design options to find the next
> > quantum leap in performance.
>
> > Versions had everything from complex camber changing mechanisms to a
> > bicycle chain driven variable span system.
>
> > The gliders were revolutionary in many ways and enormously strong. They
> > were also made of obsolete materials for extreme performance. The BJ4
> > was made obsolete by the composite materials used in the Kestrel, ASW12
> > and the Nimbus - which it met at the worlds in Marfa.
> > One story from that contest is that on a retrieve, a passing driver had
> > the roof of her car removed by the wingtip of one of the BJ4s. The wing
> > was repaired but it was only some time later that it was discovered that
> > some of the rivets in the root centre section had sheared.The fit was so
> > tight that the damage was not visible.
>
> > There are a surprising number of survivors, both of the gliders and
> > their designers and builders. Dave Mortimer - The current chairman of
> > the Soaring Society of South Africa worked building BJs in his youth and
> > still has a BJ4 hanging in his factory. Peter Eich who also worked on
> > construction has a couple (BJ2 and BJ4) - I believe the BJ3 was
> > cannibalised for the BJ4.
>
> > Having helped Peter rig his BJ4 for static display a couple of times I
> > have two observations ,
> > 1] the design and workmanship is exceptional, the flaps retract into the
> > trailing edge with tiny clearance, and
> > 2] the weight is extreme. I thought my 19m Kestrel had heavy wing
> > panels. Definitely designed for high wingloading circumstances...
>
> > Pat Beatty died some years ago, his daughter Karin works for Jonker
> > Sailplanes. If you want more information you could start there...
>
> > If you know where to find him, Fritz Johl is approaching his century,
> > and building very large scale radio controlled gliders with - you
> > guessed it - amazing complex variable geometry wings.
>
> > There is an interview of Fritz done for the 2001 worlds in Mafikeng that
> > I will have to see if we can get into digital format...
>
> > Two outstanding gentlemen.
>
> > Cheers
> > Bruce
>
> I remember Pat flying one of them at Orient and he was on the grid
> ahead of me and my Jantar-1. *I recall the air brakes were thin
> sawtooth-edged metal that were taped over for flight. *Pat cycled them
> open then closed and taped over the gap just before launching. *It
> seemed ingenious to me at the time.
>
> Mike

See new posting/subject for more on this.

-Gary