The Nimbus series of gliders over the years produced by Schempp-Hirth in Germany, and designed by Klaus Holighaus, has been very popular. It has been produced in a range of variants, a number having sustainer engines, and others being fitted with Rotax engines which are able to self-launch. The Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-2 is an Open Class glider built by Schempp-Hirth during the 1970s. The Nimbus-2 first flew in April 1971 and a total of over 240 examples of all subtypes have been built until the beginning of the 1980s. It replaced the Schempp-Hirth Cirrus. The first Nimbus-3 flew on 21 February 1981 and was similar to the Nimbus-2 but used a new wing profile, having a wing of 22.9 m (75 ft) which could be increased to 24.5 m (80 ft) or 25.5 m (83.6 ft) with tip extensions. A glide ratio of 10:1 was claimed. The Nimbus-3T had a sustainer engine. Nimbus-3s took the first three places in the Open Class in the 1981 World Gliding Championships. The Nimbus-3D was a two-seat variant, making its first flight in May 1986. A number of Nimbus-3s have been operated in Australasia. Models in this series include the 3T with a self-sustaining Solo 2350 engine; and the 3MR a self-launched model with a Rotax 535B engine, which was first flown on 9 July 1983. Australian registered aircraft include: VH-GAA (c/n 6), VH-IHE (c/n 7) which crashed at Narrandera, NSW on 14 January 1988; VH-VJS (c/n 18); VH-IIX (c/n 27); VH-XJR (c/n 48); VH-XQE (c/h 74) and VH-ZBV (c/n ‘192’). VH-GFF was a Model 3T, was operated by the Bathurst Soaring Club, and was fitted with a sustainer engine. The Nimbus-4 family is a direct derivative of its predecessors at the highest performance end of the Schempp-Hirth product range, the Nimbus-2 and Nimbus-3. In total as of 2010, 44 single-seat and 100 two-seat models have been produced. The wing taper varies along the span, which is increased to 26.5 metres. The aspect ratio is 38.8. The fuselage is also lengthened and a larger rudder fitted. The manufacturer claims this glider has a glide ratio of better than 60:1 at a best glide airspeed of 110 km/h (59 knots), meaning it can glide over 60 kilometres on course for every 1000 metres of altitude lost in still air. There is a two-seat version, the 4D, and motor glider versions with either turbo engines (designation T) or self-launching engines (designation M).For more information on these gliders, click on the following links: Schempp-Hirth_Nimbus-2 Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-3 Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-4 Specifications below are for the Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-4DM unless otherwise specified.
