Standard Cirrus 1973 (Grob) no water ballast

On Mon, 30 Sep 2019 13:37:34 -0700, Ian Simmonds wrote:

I have contacted Schemp Hirth as well to see if they can shed any
information on it.

According to Wikipedia, so this MUST be right!, the Standard Class
started in the late '50s, so think of a Ka6 as the archetypical original
spec Standard Class glider.

The rules changed to allow retracts in 1970 and water ballast in 1972.

My 201 Libelle was built in late '69 so must have been one of the first
to have retracts fitted as standard and was not fitted for water ballast,
which is just as well since my wing skins are glass/balsa/glass laminates.

However, it is a little odd that your '73 Std Cirrus didn't originally
carry water. After all, it was built after water ballast became legal for
the class in 1972. Maybe, as somebody said, it was an optional extra?


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

Schempp-Hirth TN 278-3 indicates that from serial numbers 1-134 water ballast was optional, and standard equipment from 135 onwards.

Nick.

Having said this, yours is likely later serial number than 135 & doesn't have water ballast. Presumably if a customer ordering a brand new Cirrus stated that they didn't want water, Schempp would comply.

Cheers,
Nick.



On Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 10:17:51 AM UTC+9:30, Nick Gilbert wrote:
Schempp-Hirth TN 278-3 indicates that from serial numbers 1-134 water ballast was optional, and standard equipment from 135 onwards.

Nick.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 1:51:02 AM UTC+1, Nick Gilbert wrote:
Having said this, yours is likely later serial number than 135 & doesn't have water ballast. Presumably if a customer ordering a brand new Cirrus stated that they didn't want water, Schempp would comply.

Cheers,
Nick.



On Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 10:17:51 AM UTC+9:30, Nick Gilbert wrote:
Schempp-Hirth TN 278-3 indicates that from serial numbers 1-134 water ballast was optional, and standard equipment from 135 onwards.

Nick.

Hi Nick

My works number (I believe that is what it is called) is 349G, however no water ballast.

I guess its like ordering a car with optional extras!

It doesn't seem to have really affected her performance though — looking through her paperwork she has numerous 500k, 300k, 100k flights and will probably be more aircraft than I'll be able to handle.

The gelcoat is absolutely on point too - wings and fuselage looking almost brand new, with just a few light scratches underneath where she has landed out a few times, and on areas where wings/tail connect

I've heard some people say that the Grob gel coat was superior — not sure about that, perhaps mine has just been cherished.

)

Out of interest, although its A Schemp Hirth design, it was built by Grob. Who would be better placed to tell me about it do you think, Grob or Schemp?

All the best

Ian

Out of interest, although its A Schemp Hirth design, it was built by
Grob.
=
Who would be better placed to tell me about it do you think, Grob or
Schemp=

Schempp-Hirth is the TC-holder of the Standard Cirrus. Best bet.

Grob has sold the tc-holdership of its gliders (which never included the
Standard Cirrus, even though they built them under license) to LTB Lindner.

As Eric said - definitely Schempp Hirth.

For what it's worth, one of the most well known Standard Cirrii is VH-GZR, flown by Ingo Renner at the 1974 Worlds at Waikerie in Australia, and the subject of the movie "Zulu Romeo, Good Start". This is a Grob build

Cheers,
Nick.

At 20:43 01 October 2019, Nick Gilbert wrote:
As Eric said - definitely Schempp Hirth.

For what it's worth, one of the most well known Standard Cirrii is
VH-GZR,
flown by Ingo Renner at the 1974 Worlds at Waikerie in
Australia, and the
subject of the movie "Zulu Romeo, Good Start". This is a Grob
build

Cheers,
Nick.

Flies very well too, that particular Cirrus.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 2:45:05 PM UTC-7, Eric Munk wrote:
At 20:43 01 October 2019, Nick Gilbert wrote:
As Eric said - definitely Schempp Hirth.

For what it's worth, one of the most well known Standard Cirrii is
VH-GZR,
flown by Ingo Renner at the 1974 Worlds at Waikerie in
Australia, and the
subject of the movie "Zulu Romeo, Good Start". This is a Grob
build

Cheers,
Nick.

Flies very well too, that particular Cirrus.

Attila makes it go well.
Jim

On Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 9:43:55 PM UTC+1, Nick Gilbert wrote:
As Eric said - definitely Schempp Hirth.

For what it's worth, one of the most well known Standard Cirrii is VH-GZR, flown by Ingo Renner at the 1974 Worlds at Waikerie in Australia, and the subject of the movie "Zulu Romeo, Good Start". This is a Grob build

Cheers,
Nick.

Thanks Nick

I looked this video up on youtube and just watched it — fantastic, loads of Cirri to be seen.

Thanks )

Best
Ian

Just a little update for those that are interested in the 1973 Cirrus without water ballast in the wings.

I had the following email from a Schempp Hirth employee:

Still none the wiser!



Dear Mr. Simmonds,

after checking our drawing list are all of the Standart Cirrus was built with water balast into the wings. I can´t see why you glider was built without water balast.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards

René Dank

Kundendienstleitung / Customer Service Direktor
Schempp-Hirth Service GmbH
Krebenstr. 25
73230 Kirchheim unter Teck