Looking for 1-26E with trailer and some thoughts

Hi,
I am currently looking for a ready to fly 1-26E in nice condition
with trailer. It looks like there is nothing really out there that
doesn't need a new paint job and perhaps some restoration.
Can anyone suggest someone who does reasonable paint and
restoration work? I am located in the Northern CA area.
Thanks

Not to start the usual argument, but why? There are many great first generation fiberglass gliders available for the same price, much better condition, and much better performance. Everywhere you fly in Norcal your first thermal is a perilous glide away from the airport in a 1-26. I love the old 1-26, but around here I can't see it practical if you want to stay up.
John Cochrane.

On Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 8:58:36 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Not to start the usual argument, but why? There are many great first generation fiberglass gliders available for the same price, much better condition, and much better performance. Everywhere you fly in Norcal your first thermal is a perilous glide away from the airport in a 1-26. I love the old 1-26, but around here I can't see it practical if you want to stay up.
John Cochrane.

Understand your point.. I will be moving to either southern CA or Nevada if that makes a diff.
Just looking for a no worries minimal set up ship. Also, just fly for fun and don't need to
accomplish anything. I don't see any glass ships, that don't have a non hinging canopy,
in the $10-12K range.

On Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 12:54:27 AM UTC-4, ken smith wrote:
On Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 8:58:36 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Not to start the usual argument, but why? There are many great first generation fiberglass gliders available for the same price, much better condition, and much better performance. Everywhere you fly in Norcal your first thermal is a perilous glide away from the airport in a 1-26. I love the old 1-26, but around here I can't see it practical if you want to stay up.
John Cochrane.

Understand your point.. I will be moving to either southern CA or Nevada if that makes a diff.
Just looking for a no worries minimal set up ship. Also, just fly for fun and don't need to
accomplish anything. I don't see any glass ships, that don't have a non hinging canopy,
in the $10-12K range.

There is a Ka8b on W&W. It has a hinged canopy comes with an enclosed trailer, is rigged easily and outperforms the 1-26. However, it is wood and fabric but that should not be an issue if you are in a dry environment and keep it in the trailer rather than tied up outside.

Uli
'AS'

There are also some very nice L-33 Solos on Wings and Wheels. All metal, enclosed trailer, hinged canopies, and not much more than a 1-26E with better performance.

On Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 8:43:25 AM UTC-4, Guy Byars wrote:
There are also some very nice L-33 Solos on Wings and Wheels. All metal, enclosed trailer, hinged canopies, and not much more than a 1-26E with better performance.

Also there are some very nice 1-23s on the market. Same money, more performance.

ken smith wrote on 10/14/2020 9:54 PM:
On Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 8:58:36 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Not to start the usual argument, but why? There are many great first generation fiberglass gliders available for the same price, much better condition, and much better performance. Everywhere you fly in Norcal your first thermal is a perilous glide away from the airport in a 1-26. I love the old 1-26, but around here I can't see it practical if you want to stay up.
John Cochrane.

Understand your point.. I will be moving to either southern CA or Nevada if that makes a diff.
Just looking for a no worries minimal set up ship. Also, just fly for fun and don't need to
accomplish anything. I don't see any glass ships, that don't have a non hinging canopy,
in the $10-12K range.

The $8000 Russia has a hinging canopy. I've flown one in a contest: decent performance, very
easy ground handling. The $12000 Std Cirrus has a hinging canopy: I owned one for 3 years, flew
nicely. If you want to tie out the ship instead of rigging, the L33 Solo (also hinging canopy)
would be a good choice, I think. The drawbacks for this particular one is the open trailer, and
added difficulty of importing one from Canada.

I've owned glider with/without hinging canopies, and I would not make that a deal breaker.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1

On Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 6:09:12 AM UTC-7, Eric Greenwell wrote:
ken smith wrote on 10/14/2020 9:54 PM:
On Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 8:58:36 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Not to start the usual argument, but why? There are many great first generation fiberglass gliders available for the same price, much better condition, and much better performance. Everywhere you fly in Norcal your first thermal is a perilous glide away from the airport in a 1-26. I love the old 1-26, but around here I can't see it practical if you want to stay up.
John Cochrane.

Hi Ken,
I’d agree with all the posters. The 1-26 is a fun machine, but it won’t go anywhere! They held the 1-26 nationals at Minden a few years back and most never got out of the valley! There’s an ASW-15 in Salt Lake for 7K and a H-301 Libelle at Air Sailing for 10K. I’ll give you a free look-see, but you got to bring it to me in Placerville, Ca.
JJ

Thanks for all the useful feedback. I have heard that the L33 has a weak tail boom and is prone to damage
and the Std Cirrus wants to spin. Would apprecaite more info on these if you have experience wth them.

On Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 9:54:27 PM UTC-7, ken smith wrote:
On Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 8:58:36 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Not to start the usual argument, but why? There are many great first generation fiberglass gliders available for the same price, much better condition, and much better performance. Everywhere you fly in Norcal your first thermal is a perilous glide away from the airport in a 1-26. I love the old 1-26, but around here I can't see it practical if you want to stay up.
John Cochrane.
Understand your point.. I will be moving to either southern CA or Nevada if that makes a diff.
Just looking for a no worries minimal set up ship. Also, just fly for fun and don't need to
accomplish anything. I don't see any glass ships, that don't have a non hinging canopy,
in the $10-12K range.

Ken;
I've flown 1-26's since 1996 with over 3000 hours in them. When out on soaring trips I'm often the first to launch because a 1-26 can work small weak thermals. I flew all the badges in 3 months in 1997. Flown dozens on 500k flights and some over 400 miles. There are many long flights in 1-26's by many other pilots. The 1-26 has a low stall speed and with a 40-foot wing span, it can be landed in places that other gliders can't.
I have friends that have modern high-performance ships and a 1-26 also because it's fun to fly.
I'm currently flying a 15-meter touring motor glider. I'm not comfortable flying it as close to the mountains as I would the 1-26. I'm certain that I could climb better in the smaller and broken thermals in the 1-26.
If you are in S. Ca. Inyokern is a great place for x-c. There are several places in Nevada that have great soaring.
That being said soaring is about having safe fun. Having a glider with the performance of those you fly with will give you a chance to team fly and learn.
Doug Levy