Schweizer - SGS 1-23

The SGS 1-23 is one of our best selling kits. Our exact scale 1:5 1-23 may be built as either the Standard, B, C, D, E, G, or H15 models using components supplied in our laser cut parts kit. The plans provide details for each span and aspect ratio that Schweizer manufactured on the same basic airframe. This means your kit can be built with 105" for the Standard, 120" for the B, C, or D model and 126" for the F and G models. You may also build the H-15 model which is 118" in span or the Sterling Starr variant at 129.6" span.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The photo above is Herbert Eberbach with his meticulously built H model 1-23 finished in the colors and markings of the plane flown by Steve McQueen's character in The Thomas Crown Affair. The 1-23 is of special interest to Tom Martin. His father James Martin, worked for Paul Bickle who set two world altitude records in a sailplane. The aircraft was the Schweizer SGS 1-23E equipped with oxygen and flown by Bickle in a mountain wave over the high desert of California on February 21, 1961 to 46,267 ft. with an altitude gain of 42,303 ft. Interestingly, Tom's sister-in-law's dad, Jim Moeller, was crewing with Paul as he made the attempts at the record and towed him on the record setting flight!

 

 

 

 

 SPECS: 1-23 EXACT SCALE



Span (Starr H): 129 5/8" (3.3m)

Length: 49 1/8" (127cm)
Aspect: 15.12:1

Area (H model): 900 in.2

All up weight: 5.5 lbs.

Wing loading: 14 oz./ft.2

Airfoil: Selig 7037
Scale: 1:5 scale

No. Servos Req'd: 5-7



FUNCTIONS: Rudder, Elevator, Dive Brakes, Ailerons, Tow Release (optional)

PARTIAL KIT CONTENTS


All balsa and plywood wing ribs,
Plywood Fuselage side doublers,

Fuselage bulkheads,

Light ply nose stringers,

Sheet balsa tails,

Canopy bows,

Vac-formed plastic canopy,

Laser cut scale instrument panel kit,

Plans, 2 sheets 36" x 68", rolled.

HARDWARE PACKAGE
Lightweight wheel and tire 2-1/2" dia,

Steel wire axle,
5/32",
Dura collars 5/32",
3-48 x 3/4" stab mounting bolts,

Hinges, nylon large,12,

Pushrods (tails), 48" length,

3/8" 7075 T6 aluminum wing rod,

13/32" OD brass joiner sleeve,

1/8" x 6" spring steel incidence pin,
5/32" OD brass incidence sleeve.



REQUIRED TO COMPLETE MODEL


Wing, fuse, tail 1/16" balsa sheet,

Spruce spars caps,

Balsa shear webs
Balsa wing leading/trailing edges,
Cable pushrods (dive brakes) 2,
Adhesive epoxy and CA cements,

Covering, fabric or film,
Servos, wires, battery and receiver.

ORDERING

Visit our company store at www.gliderworkshop.com to purchase the 1-23.

Please email us at bolt55@aerosente.com or call 816.331.8807 or 415.246.4337 if you have any questions or need assistance with ordering, we appreciate your business!

 

 

 

BUILD LOG

 

Herbert Eberbach did a fantastic build log for the SGS 1-23 on RC Groups. Herbert's craftsmanship is exquisite. Here are a few pictures from Herbert's build:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HISTORY

 

In 1953 the 1-23D (ATC) was introduced, a production version of the B. One flown by Paul MacCready won the 1953 Nationals, and another was flown 733 km./ 455.5 miles by Joe Lincoln to earn the Barringer Trophy for 1960. An example belongs to the National Soaring Museum.

The single increased span (16.1 m./ 52.8 ft.) 1-23E was built for Paul MacCready to fly in the 1954 World Championships where it finished 4th. It has balanced air brakes and originally did not have a wheel, using the skid for takeoff and landing. Paul Bikle set two world altitude records with the 1-23E (14.102 m./ 46.267 ft. absolute 12.894 m./ 42.303 ft. gain). One F was built, being an E with heavier butted skins on the wing.

The 1-23G (ATC) was a 1954 production model with the longer wing of the E and F, standard spoilers and a larger vertical tail of slightly different shape. To the basic 1-23G model Schweizer added balanced airbrakes, removable wingtips and other minor modifications to produce the H model, of which 8 were built. The more numerous H-15 version has a wingspan reduced to 15.0 m./ 49.2 ft. qualifying it for the FAI-OSTIC Standard Class. It was also produced with removable tips increasing the span to 16.1 m./ 52.8 ft. 39 of this model were built. One, which also belongs to the National Soaring Museum, was substantially modified by Sterling Starr by the fitting of a new NACA 65 (3)-618 section 16.5 m./ 54 ft. wing.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Special thanks to the Soaring Society of America (SSA), for permission to use text and specs from their publications. More information on vintage soaring craft may be found at their pages and in their publications and those of the Vintage Sailplane Association.

 

 

Comments

[Herbert Eberbach]

Great!!! Above, that is exactly the movie scene which started my enthusiasm for the 1-23 back in the late 60ies!