VGC News/Newsletters - Lakes Gliding Club

and Klemm L-25: these four aircraft were flown for quite some
time, mainly overseas in the Japanese-held territories of
Korea, Taiwan, and Manchuria. The Wolfbecame the Japanese
glider pilot's object of desire. Copies of it were seen all over
Japan, for example the Hikari 3-1.
Along the banks of the Edo River in Chiba prefecture, at
Sekiyado Gliderport, is a memorial to Hirth. The monument
was originally considel'ed for placement at Tokorozawa,
Tatetsu or Ueda, but all these sites have lost all
connection to gliding. The front of the monument shows
Hirth's face as he appeared as a smiling 35-year-old. Below
is the inscription: "In Remembrance of Wolf Hirth: Wolf
Hirth was the teacher of soaring in our country. He is also
a pioneer of German soaring. He arrived on October 2,
1935 and for two and a half months travelled to every part
of Japan teaching soaring theory, teaching practical sk.ills,
leaving a deep effect. on our country's glidermen and contributing
to the expansion of the sport. Fifty years after his
visit, in remembrance of his legacy, this monument is dedicated
to passing this history to future generations." Spring
1988, Hiroshi Sato.
["I heard that a "Wolf Hirth Gliding Club" was formed
in Osaka. In tnlth I thought a dedication to me was not
appropr,iate. I objected on the grounds that a memorial
should be dedicated only to a deceased party. Laughing,
nodding and wi,th many 'ah sodesuka,' they seemed to
undet'stand my point of view. Nevertheless they went and
formed a 'Hirtn Memorial Club.' They explained that it
was so they would never forget my visit. to Japan"]
;,: These names all refer to early Japanese gliders, previously
referenced in the book.
Ms. Phillips wishes to thallk KaIVakami-sa~l, the hook:\' allthO!;
for the use ofthis material. Questions have been raised as to
the accuracy of at least, this chapter from the book. Jt has
been printed he're IVlthout atlering the information as presented
in the book.
Kawakwni. Hiroyuki. Nihon no Glider /930- /945 (Japan:~
Gliders. Model Art Publishing, 3-3-/J lidabashi. Chiyoda
Japan.
HUTTER 17 BGA490
A BriefHistol)'
The HUtter J7is a light-weight glider designed in 1934 by the
Austrian Ulrich Htitter whilst an engineering student at the
Technical College in Vienna. The figure 17 referred to the predicted
glide angle of this diminutive (wingspan 31 ft 10 in.)
open cockpit glider designed originally for slope soaring in
the Austrian Alps. It Was believed that the rapid control
response of a smaller machine with a relatively high wing
loading would compensate favourably in turbu:Ient Alpine
conditions for the poorer overall performance that such a
small machine would enjoy when compared to the larger
wingspan sailplanes that were currently being designed in
Germany.
The prototype was first flown in September 1934 and plans
were published in 1935, being designed for amateur construction.
The cost of the plans in the UK was approximately £2. 10s.
The British rights for producing the HUtter 17 were
obtained by W. Roy Scolt in 1938, who started building three
examples in a shed at the rear of his home, at 32, Lover's
Walk, Dunstable, whilst working for the nearby Dart Aircraft
Co. (fmmerly Zander & Weyl). Subsequently when the Dart
Aircraft firm ran oul of money, Scott joined up with Paul
Zander as Scott & Zander with a workshop in Albion Street,
Dunstab'le. Here the work on the three Hi.itters continued.
Three sets of metal fi,ttings and three sets of all the wooden
parts were made from German Pine which was said to be
stronger ,that the best s,i~ver spruce.
BGA 331, the first of the three Hi.Hters, was sold when
completed to a syndicate including Amy Johnson. This glider
unfortunately crashed on 14.5.38 at Oxford during a winch
launch, and the pilot Capt. Rattray was killed. The second
HUtter 17, BGA 352, was sold to Alall Coleman (later Sir Alan
Coleman of Cokmall's Mustard) which was painted his trademark
yellow and flew for some years after the war until it
finally crashed at Ballykelly on 14,10.62. The third HUtter 17,
subsequently BGA 490, was orig.inally intended for Roy
Scott's own use, funded by the sale of the first two examples
as was common pract'ice, but unfortunately the onset of the
Second World War meant that prior'ities changed. The metal
fittings and the wooden parts for this glider were all sold to
Donald Campbell in Dumbarton, Scotland (a glider repairer
and restorer, subsequently known as "The Glider Doctor").
Nothing more was achieved however until the end of the War,
when this ,third HUUer was finally completed by Mr Campbell
with an empty weight of 231 Ibs.
The first winch test hop was made on 19. J0.47 at Balado
with subsequent tests and circuits a week later. The first longer
duration soaring tests took place at the Midland GI,iding Club
on the Long Mynd ill December 1947, and a C of A was finally
issued on 13th August 1948. Only one month later, after some
12 hours flying time, the glider hil a hedge broadside on while
landing and suffered extensive damage. The starboard wing
had broken in two. The tailplane and elevator were damaged as
well as the fuselage, which sustained damage to the nose
section on the port side extending back to the main bulkhead as
well as damage to the strut fittings etc. The wing, tailplane and
elevator were repaired by Donald Campbell :in his own workshop,
and were completed 19.11.48. The fuselage was meanwhile
repaired at the Hawkridge Aircraft Co Ltd, in Dunstable,
and work was finished 21.1.49. The restored aircraft was then
test flown again by Mr Campbell on the 15 & 23 February
1949 before the decision was made to install "Sky-type" dive
brakes. This mOdification took place over II tw@ ye"f period to
officia'l drawings (Aviation & Engineering Projects Ltd).
The Hulter at Aston Down before its restoration in 1979.
showing the Fill s/rake, enclosed canopy, airbrakes and
wheel.(Can anyone recognise the gentleman standing in front
of the glider?)
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