Ventus A and B Wing Root Fairings

The Ventus A and B models really need a good wing root fairing.
Schempp-Hirth realized their mistake years ago, and offered a simple
aftermarket fiberglass fairing mod kit. I installed mine during the
early 80s, and it really helped the low speed performance.
I think it may still be possible to obtain a similar fairing, and
possibly Al McDonald or someone else knows where?
Dick Johnson

Before he sold his B, Al was discussing having Mansberger
build some of these if he found enough interested parties...not
sure how far he went. IIRC he lurks about here and
may post details.

Dick-

What sorta testing did you do or was it anecdotal evidence
you collected while flying?

I did not do any formal flight testing with my new factory supplied
wing root fillets, but noted that I had better control while
thermalling, and could circle tighter. I can now use landing flap when
needed in a small strong thermal, whereas before I would have great
roll control difficulty trying to use that flap setting.
I did find that these fairings are now available, at Al's website:
http://www.gliderforum.com/forum-view.asp?forumid=5
Dick Johnson

I had wing root fairings installed on my Nimbus 3 around 1991
by Tracey Tabart (Aussie) at his Turf Soaring shop (AZ). I
believe he got the fairings from Schempp-Hirth.

wrote:
The Ventus A and B models really need a good wing root fairing.
Schempp-Hirth realized their mistake years ago, and offered a simple
aftermarket fiberglass fairing mod kit. I installed mine during the
early 80s, and it really helped the low speed performance.
I think it may still be possible to obtain a similar fairing, and
possibly Al McDonald or someone else knows where?
Dick Johnson

I put a set of wing root fairings on a couple of Nimbus
3's. Quieted it down considerably. Not an easy undertaking
as it involves cutting off 4' of the flap root end,
then adding a fence followed by finish and painting.
$1500-$2000 worth of work involved.
JJ

At 16:00 05 June 2005, wrote:
I did not do any formal flight testing with my new
factory supplied
wing root fillets, but noted that I had better control
while
thermalling, and could circle tighter. I can now use
landing flap when
needed in a small strong thermal, whereas before I
would have great
roll control difficulty trying to use that flap setting.
I did find that these fairings are now available,
at Al's website:
http://www.gliderforum.com/forum-view.asp?forumid=5
Dick Johnson

Al should still have the molds for the fairings. I have one set of
Mansberger made fairings that came with my Ventus B when I bought it
from Al. I am strongly thinking of having them installed in the
future. I think it brings the A/B closer to the handling of the C from
what I have read. The ease in taping would also be nice.

The plane also had the winglet mod on the 16.6 tips which I think
handles better than the 15M with winglets. I am not sure, but it even
feels like it is less pitch sensitive. I would love to see new polars
on the Ventus A/B with winglets in both configurations.

Are there any good pictures on the web of the fairing mod on the Ventus
or Nimbus? I thought Jim Phoenix might have some, but never found a
good view.

Dick or JJ do you have the factory instructions anywhere still for the
modification?

Tim

Tim Taylor
Logan, Utah

Don't know there ever was any instructions on adding the wing fairings.
Basically you slide the glove on each wing and then assemble the ship.
Slide the gloves inboard until they rest against the fuselage, mark
this location on the fus. Slide the fairings back and grind away the
gelcoat in the indicated area. Goop up the fairings with epoxt and flox
and slam them back in place, held with tape and things (cleco's work
well). Its important to NOT get carried away with the glue, as in don't
let it ooze down and harden on the spars and things. Musn't end up with
a permanently assembled ship. After curing, add a couple of layers of
92110 to the edges of the fairings that extend up fus a couple of
inches. Then fill-sand, prime-sand, paint-sand, buff.

One needs to be a bit careful when assembling the ship, as in don't hit
the fairing with the spar of the wing that your cramming in, then watch
the pitch of the wing as you slide the root rib into the fairing.

Its a good mod, well worth doing,
JJ

Dick or JJ do you have the factory instructions anywhere still for the
modification?

Tim

Tim Taylor
Logan, Utah

You described the fairing installation procedure well JJ, and that is
just how I did mine.
But do not forget to describe sawing off the 4 inches of each flap
root. Otherwise it is real difficult to move the flaps.
Dick Johnson

Hi Dick et all

Is there a similar mod available for the Nimbus 2, I am rebuilding a Nimbus
at the moment and always thought that area could benefit from fairings,
pictures or drawings would do I can work from there.

Chris Runeckles
Western Australia

wrote in message
oups.com...
You described the fairing installation procedure well JJ, and that is
just how I did mine.
But do not forget to describe sawing off the 4 inches of each flap
root. Otherwise it is real difficult to move the flaps.
Dick Johnson

Yes, does anyone have pictures of these animals and the mod to the
flaps?

Thanks,

Larry
"zero one"


"Chris" wrote in message :

Hi Dick et all

Is there a similar mod available for the Nimbus 2, I am rebuilding a Nimbus
at the moment and always thought that area could benefit from fairings,
pictures or drawings would do I can work from there.

Chris Runeckles
Western Australia

wrote in message
oups.com...
You described the fairing installation procedure well JJ, and that is
just how I did mine.
But do not forget to describe sawing off the 4 inches of each flap
root. Otherwise it is real difficult to move the flaps.
Dick Johnson