ASW27 vs 27b?

[[email protected]]

Can anyone comment on any differences in performance and handling between the early and later models of the 27? I've read the winglet was enlarged on the b--does that make much difference?

thanks,

Key

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, August 5, 2012 8:20:07 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> Can anyone comment on any differences in performance and handling between the early and later models of the 27? I've read the winglet was enlarged on the b--does that make much difference? thanks, Key

The principle difference is the B has a wet wing making it easier to get up to gross weight.All winglet variants are usable on both types.
Very few 27's are still being flown with the original small winglet. Mine came off after the first flight.
No handling difference and any performance difference is due to condition and preparation. They are geometrically identical.
UH

[Martin Smith]

At 00:35 06 August 2012, wrote:
>On Sunday, August 5, 2012 8:20:07 PM UTC-4, wrote:
>> Can anyone comment on any differences in performance and handling
between
>the early and later models of the 27? I've read the winglet was enlarged
on
>the b--does that make much difference? thanks, Key
>
>The principle difference is the B has a wet wing making it easier to get
up
>to gross weight.All winglet variants are usable on both types.
>Very few 27's are still being flown with the original small winglet. Mine
>came off after the first flight.
>No handling difference and any performance difference is due to condition
>and preparation. They are geometrically identical.
>UH
>

I have a 27a with the small winglets and regularly fly alongside 2 other
small winglet a's and several b's with the taller winglets. The geeks tell
me that the taller winglets offer better low speed thermal handling and
that the smaller winglets have a teensy bit less drag at higher speeds. To
me the only apparent difference is (as is often the case) the nut behind
the stick.

Martin N5

[John Cochrane[_2_]]

On Aug 5, 7:35*pm, wrote:
> On Sunday, August 5, 2012 8:20:07 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> > Can anyone comment on any differences in performance and handling between the early and later models of the 27? I've read the winglet was enlarged on the b--does that make much difference? thanks, Key
>
> The principle difference is the B has a wet wing making it easier to get up to gross weight.All winglet variants are usable on both types.
> Very few 27's are still being flown with the original small winglet. Mine came off after the first flight.
> No handling difference and any performance difference is due to condition and preparation. They are geometrically identical.
> UH

Any of the new taller winglets make a dramatic difference in low speed
handling. You can thermal as much as 4-5 knots slower. UH's super
duper winglets are just a bit better (he's too modest to say so, but I
will -- thanks UH!)

Most Bs (like mine) suffer from pretty bad skin shrinkage especially
along the spar on the bottom surface, and need to be profiled after a
few years. Once done, they are pretty stable. The As seem better in
this regard. Something about water in the wings was not good.

Tanks are a convenience for watering. The need to worry about water
left in the tanks and rig up some sort of tank vent is less
convenient. (Read Schleicher's maintenance instructions)

Overall, great gliders. OK, I'm biased, I like mine

John Cochrane