SGS 1-26 | |
---|---|
SGS-1-26B | |
Role | 1-26 class sailplane |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Schweizer Aircraft Corporation |
Designer | Ernest Schweizer[1] |
First flight | 16 January 1954[2] |
Number built | 700 |
The Schweizer SGS 1-26 is a United States One-Design, single-seat, mid-wing glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.[3]
The SGS 1-26 enjoyed a very long production run from its first flight in 1954 until 1979, when production was ended. The 1-26 was replaced in production by the Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite. The 1-26 is the most numerous sailplane found in the US.[1][4]
In October 1963 a special issue of Soaring magazine was dedicated to the 1-26. Harner Selvidge wrote:
"Much of the glamour of soaring lies in the realm of high performance, high aspect ratio open class sailplanes, but the backbone of the soaring movement in this country, and any other, lies in the local club operations. These are the weekend fliers who have fun around the airport, make some cross-country flights and enter local contests. For this sort of flying, the 1-26 is unexcelled."[5]