How hard is a Diamant to assemble?

Laid back flight position, *but not for huge / tall pilots perhaps, but
flys without any vice, and great "44" performance for the first all
plastic composite glider in the world.

Hmmm, glad to hear it's well mannered and comfy, but it's not exactly
the first plastic ship. The first *production* models (Ki Ba Vo
Diamant prototypes used wooden K-6 wings/tail...) used H301 wings, an
all plastic ship which was obviously in production before the HBV came
out.. which was then followed by the 16.5m, and finally the 18m
variant, which didn't come around till 68'... For all plastic, the 301
itself even came after the:
Phonix http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akaflieg_Stuttgart_FS-24 ,
(actual first glass ship...)
Pheobus http://phoebus.vassel.com/site_page_2511/
BS-1 http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/glasflugel.htm#BS-1 and I'm
sure there were some others too...

The 18m variant was after the D-36 was, which led to the W-12 by 65
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schleicher_ASW_12
Even the Open Cirrus was flying by 67' , but I'm not sure if the
Kestrel 17 (Glasflugal 401) was slightly before, or after the 18m
Diamant in 68...

Still an early glass bird though

-Paul

The FFA 16.5 Diamant was the first "All plastic" aircraft, ie, all man
made composite structure. There is no balsa, or any wood anywhere in
the ship, and metal parts are very limited to control system and
gear. It is a very elegant design for it's day, but had serious
quality problems during manufacture of the composite parts.

The wing and the ship is very heavy by current standards, but nothing
the right set of dollies won't fix. By dollies I mean two sawhorses
and a root dolly, Any two piece wing is a cinch to rig if you balance
the wing weight on sawhorses or dollies and lower the fuse cradle with
an electric jack.

Once you buy one, you will probably won't be able to sell it. if a
ship was considered a dog 25 years ago it does not get a pedigree
because it got older. However, it flies great and if you have to buy
an albatross, you could do worse. if you are a engineering student on
a budget and want to trade even for say, a Cherokee, it would be a
great choice.

Educate yourself with all the AD's and SB's, and maintenance records,
and definitely fly before you buy. Reclining seat position is a
problem for some folks, as is the canopy mechanism. Any oddball 40
year old ship will have problems, if one is buying it because the
price is right you are going to be in for a rude surprise.

MM
Former owner, D 16.5 s/n 44

Hmmmmm.
I own (or should I say my Son's now own as they generally fly it now days
as I have another toy to play with) a Diamant 17.2
It started life as a 16.5 and was the "first Glass Glider" in Australia
and first flew in Australia in November 1967. Serial number 018.
It was first owned by Malcolm Jinx who went on to win the nationals in it
that year and the following 2 years against Open Libelle's and Kestrel
17's.
In 1968 it had 'Factory" wing tip extensions fitted taking it to
17.2mts.
I have owned the aircraft since 1981 and love the old girl. My best flight
in it was 720kms and cut short due to a late start and failing conditions.
Not bad for an old bird.
Soars like wood and cruises like glass.
Gets you home at the end of the day when other ships can't stay up. Long
legs and great soaring.

Have noted the comments on the rigging.
Our wings are 100kgs each and the fuse is 101kgs.
The wings are like rigging a Twin Astir really. Yep they are heavy.
Some have mentioned right wing first but I want to point out the big
advantage is when it is plugged in, the stub pin sticks out and you can
see it to be able to guide the left wing onto it rather than the reverse
where it is then blind. I find with a couple of helpers it is over in
about 5 mins if you know what you are doing.

As far as maintenance goes I don't understand the suggestion there might
be a problem. From my perspective there is only 1 recurring AD (Elevator
Push Rod Fork) and an easy inspection.
The access holes in the wing ( six in each) make it one of the easiest
gliders I have ever found for wing inspection and maintenance of control
system bearings.
I find it a breeze compared to many aircraft I work on.

Value wise depends on what you pay of course. I tired to sell it some
years ago when I upgraded. I couldn't get a decent offer so thought blow
it the boys can have it. When the second went Solo I did the annual and
got it back in the air. For both of them it was their second Solo machine.
It is that easy to fly. The youngest got into it at 15. Of course they were
groomed for it thus prepared but still it is easy. No vices to speak of.
With an LS4, LS7 and Discus in the club fleet they are still happy to fly
the Diamant.
It is unusal but I wouldn't call it a Dog.

If your friend can get into it at a reasonable price and get a lot of use
out of it good on him. For me I reckon I got my moneys worth years ago
(gold and diamond) and now the next generation can. I don't count the
cost. Comes down to perspective.
I reckon it's good for 850k over here and reckon Son number 2 might well
prove me right one day.
Cheers Nige.







At 04:53 27 June 2009, wrote:


The FFA 16.5 Diamant was the first "All plastic" aircraft, ie, all man
made composite structure. There is no balsa, or any wood anywhere in
the ship, and metal parts are very limited to control system and
gear. It is a very elegant design for it's day, but had serious
quality problems during manufacture of the composite parts.

The wing and the ship is very heavy by current standards, but nothing
the right set of dollies won't fix. By dollies I mean two sawhorses
and a root dolly, Any two piece wing is a cinch to rig if you balance
the wing weight on sawhorses or dollies and lower the fuse cradle with
an electric jack.

Once you buy one, you will probably won't be able to sell it. if a
ship was considered a dog 25 years ago it does not get a pedigree
because it got older. However, it flies great and if you have to buy
an albatross, you could do worse. if you are a engineering student on
a budget and want to trade even for say, a Cherokee, it would be a
great choice.

Educate yourself with all the AD's and SB's, and maintenance records,
and definitely fly before you buy. Reclining seat position is a
problem for some folks, as is the canopy mechanism. Any oddball 40
year old ship will have problems, if one is buying it because the
price is right you are going to be in for a rude surprise.

MM
Former owner, D 16.5 s/n 44