On 2/3/2013 3:34 PM, wrote:
Soaring historians is or isn't a Libelle the first ever glass glider?
Theres one on the fiel seldom flown. We were only in 4th grade back in 64',
but remember this Charlie Combs character who flew his with one finger for
like a hundred dist diamonds.


The first *production* glass glider I believe was the Phoenix? I expect some
of our European friends will clarify this point.

Judging from scouring older "Soaring" magazines way back when I got into the
sport (late '72), I - correctly or incorrectly - concluded importation of
Libelles, Phoebuses (Phoebii?), Open Cirruses and a few AS W-12s happened more
or less concurrently, with Diamants, St'd Cirrii and AS W-15's not long
behind. In any event, it was a pretty abrupt transition!

Bob W.