Olympia 2b

Current Status

The 1/4 scale Olympia 2b prototype was built and successfully maidened. The kit is currently available for the public to order.

The prototype build log can be seen in detail in the Forum section here.

An average quality video of it's maiden flights can be seen here.

We also have a great build thread by SHINCK on RCGroups   http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1807651

Pricing will be $390 AUD plus postage and handling. At this stage we intend doing a limited run, if you are interested in purchasing a kit from this run, please email us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get on the list.

History

A DFS (Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug) team led by Hans Jacobs designed the Meise in 1938 to fulfil the conditions for an Olympic class of sailplane to be flown by every nation's competitors at the Olympic Games. Whereas the Hans Jacobs' designed forerunners of the Meise during 1937/8, the Reiher and Weihe had needed much modification, the Meise seems to have been perfect right from the start.

Together with the Akaflieg Munich's contribution (designed by Ludwig Karch) the Mu 17, they both represented Germany before an Olympic Sailplane Selection Committee at trials for the Olympic sailplane at Sezze, near Rome, in February 1939. In spite of strong competition from the Polish Orlik and two Italian sailplanes, the International Committee selected the Meise. Some said that the Orlik was better and that the Meise had been selected because of strong German, Italian and Hungarian fascist influence in the jury. Whatever the truth of this is, nothing could have been superior to the Meise for perfect, light, aerodynamically balanced handling in flight.StructureThe Meise (after the 1939 trials named Olympia Meise) had a wing with main and secondary spars giving tremendous torsional stiffness, which made the cable operated ailerons very light and effective to use (there being no counter twist in opposition to aileron movement). The mass-balanced, trim tabbed elevator is also light to use, as so is the rudder. The three controls were harmonised to an extent never equalled by any other sailplane and became the standard, for many years to come, against which other sailplanes could be measured. It was in fact the basis for the Standard Class Sailplane, as conceived by Lorne and Ann Welch and the No.1 Test Group at Redhill in 1947, and was, as this, paraded before all nations.

The Meise has a semi-monocoque ply-covered fuselage, a classic torsion box leading edged wing and a tailplane with a minimum area stressed torsion box leading edge.

For a full history of the type, please see the SSUK website

Design Process

Shown below are a few a shots of the development from CAD surface model, to 3D CAD skelton and finally to actual laser cut constructed skeleton.

P