"Janos Bauer" wrote in message
...
We looked around the net but it's hard to find any detailed information
about how this plane was constructed.

I have a 1977 built Elfe S4a. In answer to your questions:

Construction: Grp front fuselage. Wood/Epoxy sandwich wing, rear fuselage
and tail. Same wing section as ASW-15 and ASW-19.
Maintenance: Like any wooden glider. Wing profile good after 28 years! Paint
any scratches so easier than glass to repair. No large costs for re-gelling.
Rigging: Similar to Sleicher K6 but heavier (mine weighs 253kg empty)
Flying: No trim, but as it has all-flying tail then no stick load but never
able to take hands off. Slightly lower max L/D than Std. Cirrus or LS1f but
more than equal above 100KPH. Long fuselage relative to 15metre wing as same
fuselage was used on 17metre Elfe. Airbrakes not great (top surface only)
but not really bad. Climbs as well as other standard class machines at my
club. Cockpit is quite small for me but I am 1.83 metres tall and weigh
97kg!

Conclusion: Would I buy one - YES. Value for money as a good one should cost
only 6000 Euro. I do not know of anything better for the money.

You can email me if you have more questions at derekatmotorgliderdotcodotuk.