| Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3 |
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The Nimbus 2CS that won the 1980 German National championships was modified to have extra wing panels to increase the span to 23.5m (77ft 0in). This preceded the Nimbus 3 which has a four-piece carbon-fibre wing of 22.9m span, and which was first flown in prototype form on 21 February 1981 by its designer Klaus Holighaus. The Nimbus 3 makes extensive use of carbon-fibre in its structure, only the forward fuselage being of glassfibre. The three-part ailerons droop in conjunction with the flaps, and over 80 gallons of water ballast can be carried. The Nimbus 3 is probably the first sailplane to achieve a glide angle of better than 1 in 50, a figure of 55:1 being claimed, and Mk 3s took the first three Open Class places in the 1981 World Gliding Championships at Paderborn, West Germany.
The Nimbus 3D combines the long wings of the Nimbus 3/24.5 and an extensive modification of the two place, mid-wing fuselage of the Janus series (note that these fuselages are not interchangeable). The construction is fully carbon with the exception of the forward fuselage being made of carbon and Kevlar. Differences with the Janus type fuselage (see Janus (A), Janus B, or Janus C) include all carbon construction, a modified wing attach structure, and an enlarged rudder. The Nimbus 3D has a bumper nose wheel, retractable main wheel and conventional tail skid, large single piece canopy (hinged on the right side), slight forward sweep of the wings (less than the original Janus series), dual surface spoilers, and an all carbon tailplane. Both self launched (Nimbus 3DM) and sustainer (Nimbus 3DT) engined options are available. First flight was in May 1986.
| Span | 24.6 | m |
| Length | 8.7 | m |
| Height | 1.4 | m |
| Wing Area | 16.85 | m² |
| Wing Section | root Wortmann FX79-K-143/17 | |
| tip Wortmann FX77-135/20 | ||
| Aspect Ratio | 35.9 | |
| Empty Glider Mass | 485 | kg |
| All-Up Mass | 750 | kg |
| Water Ballast | 168 | kg |
| Load Factors | +5.4/-3.4 | |
| Maximum L/D | 57 | |
| Stalling Speed | 42 | kt |
| Minimum Sinking Speed | .43 | m/s |
| Max. Rough Air Speed | ? | kt |
| Never Exceed Speed | 148 | kt |
The Nimbus 3DT is a state of the art, high performance motor glider. Originally imported into the country to compete in the 1987 World Championships it was purchased by a syndicate of Geelong and VMFG club member's. It has competed in many state and national competitions as well as the Great Australian Glider Race. Two of the syndicate members have used it to complete a flight of over 1000kms.
It has been modified by the addition of winglet's and modifications to the rudder to improve it's handling characteristics.
Geelong Gliding Club Inc. ©1997-2006
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