| SG 38 Schulgleiter | |
|---|---|
 SG.38 reproduction | |
| General information | |
| Type | Primary glider |
| National origin | Germany |
| Designer | Schneider, Rehberg and Hofmann |
| Status | No longer in production |
| Number built | about 10,000 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1938 |
| First flight | 1938 |
| Developed from | Stamer Lippisch Zögling |
TheSchneider DFS 108-14 SG-38Schulgleiter (School glider) is a Germanhigh-wing,cable-braced, single-seatprimary glider that was designed by Schneider, Rehberg and Hofmann atEdmund Schneider's factory at Grunau in 1938, hence the designation. It was produced by several builders, includingDeutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug (DFS).[1][2]
The SG 38 was designed to be a training glider for basicflight training by theNationalsozialistisches Fliegerkorps (NSFK). The usual launch method was bybungee cord from a sloped hill. Because training was conducted solely by solo flight the aircraft had to be very easy to fly and also easy to repair.[1]
The high-wing design uses akingpost and cable bracing. The primary structure of the glider is of wood, with the wings, tail surfaces and inverted "V" kingpost all finished in dopedaircraft fabric covering. The pilot sits on a simple seat in the open air, without a windshield.
The basic configuration was similar to earlier gliders such as theStamer Lippisch Zögling and the Grunau IX, but the SG 38 was an entirely new design. Improvements included enlarged tail surfaces for better stability, a separate skid mounted on shock-absorbing springs, and an updated seat for the pilot.[3]
The SG-38 played a critical role in pilot training for theLuftwaffe in theSecond World War, as a simple, but robust, trainer for the rapid increase in the number of pilots needed by Germany. It was commonly flown bybungee launch on the slopes of theWasserkuppe[2] and the hills ofSaarmund.[4]
From 1949 to 1951 Spain'sAISA produced 50 licence-built aircraft.[5]
In theUK,Elliotts of Newbury built a copy of the SG.38 called theElliotts Primary EoN; its version first flown in 1948 and used by the RAF as the Eton TX.1.
Data from[10]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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