D-8 Info

[Eggs]

Anyone have, or know where I might find, info about the "California D-8"
sailplane? There's one listed for sale in Soaring, and I've seen plans for
the craft for sale on eBay. Try as I might I can't find any photos or stats.

[JJ Sinclair]

>
>Anyone have, or know where I might find, info about the "California D-8"
>sailplane?

There is a Pacific D-8, listed in the sailplane directory:
span - 31.75
area - 100sq. ft.
aspect ratio - 10
airfoil - NASA 4418
empty wt. - 235
payload - 207
gross wt. - 460
wg loading - 4.6
structure - all metal
L/D - 17
min sink - 4.2
no. built - 3 (1964)
The D-8 was designed as an all metal, easy to build homebuilt construction
project. One belongs to the national Soaring Museum.
JJ Sinclair

[Nolaminar]

Not sure but I was told that no D-8 ever flew.
GA

[JJ Sinclair]

>
>Not sure but I was told that no D-8 ever flew.
> GA

Now thate encouraging, do you have enough information, Eggs?
JJ Sinclair

[Eggs]

Thanks JJ. It's information anyway! I'm still researching low cost
sailplanes and spotted this ad in November's Soaring:

PACIFIC
HOME BUILT D-8 SAILPLANE, $3,200.
Aluminum construction, single seat. Certified air-
worthy in 1985. Have all logs and certificates.

I suppose they could be construction logs, wouldn't necessarily mean it had
ever been airborne. The seller's email is listed. Guess I'll give him a
holler. I was just curious about the lack of available data. I suppose I
could start a museum.

"JJ Sinclair" > wrote in message
...
> >
> >Not sure but I was told that no D-8 ever flew.
> > GA
>
> Now thate encouraging, do you have enough information, Eggs?
> JJ Sinclair

[Steve]

(JJ Sinclair) wrote in message >...
> >
> >Not sure but I was told that no D-8 ever flew.
> > GA
>
> Now thats encouraging, do you have enough information, Eggs?
> JJ Sinclair

Jeez, that's awfully rough words, Bob. I know of two that have flown.
There was an article by Kevin Renshaw (mid 1980s, Dallas area, I
think) that flew one "open cockpit". Terrible glide, as I recall.

And Glenn Mauch out near Dodge City, Kansas has one. He extended the
wing a bit, to maybe 35 feet. Polished metal except for bright orange
nose and wing tips. Flew some pretty good flights with it. It is the
one in the picture (in flight, too, Bob!) in the old EAA magazines
when the guy was still selling plans (late 60s early 70s). Cute
little glider, but an odd trailer with that one piece wing.

I know of at least two projects (one advertised for sale, one not) if
you are really interested, Eggs. And I won't make you say "Neep!" or
cut down the mightiest tree in the forrest with a Herring, either.

Steve Leonard
Keeper of Knowledge of Mutant Gliders and sometimes known as "Tim"
(Sorry about all the Python references. It's a looong way to soaring
season.)

[JJ Sinclair]

>
> PACIFIC
>HOME BUILT D-8 SAILPLANE, $3,200.

Yo Eggs,
If I were looking for a good little sailplane, I would take my $3200 bucks and
start offering it to all the Duster owners out there. I'm betting one of them
will sell at that price. Sweet little machine for the money. I flew all my
badges in one, except 1000K, switched to glass for that.
JJ Sinclair