D-8 Info

Anyone have, or know where I might find, info about the 'California D-8' sailplane? There's one listed for sale in Soaring, and I've seen plans for the craft for sale on eBay. Try as I might I can't find any photos or stats.

There is a Pacific D-8, listed in the sailplane directory: span - 31.75 area - 100sq. ft. aspect ratio - 10 airfoil - NASA 4418 empty wt. - 235 payload - 207 gross wt. - 460 wg loading - 4.6 structure - all metal L/D - 17 min sink - 4.2 no. built - 3 (1964) The D-8 was designed as an all metal, easy to build homebuilt construction project. One belongs to the national Soaring Museum. JJ Sinclair

Not sure but I was told that no D-8 ever flew.

Now thate encouraging, do you have enough information, Eggs? JJ Sinclair

Thanks JJ. It's information anyway! I'm still researching low cost sailplanes and spotted this ad in November's Soaring:

PACIFIC HOME BUILT D-8 SAILPLANE, $3,200. Aluminum construction, single seat. Certified air- worthy in 1985. Have all logs and certificates.

I suppose they could be construction logs, wouldn't necessarily mean it had ever been airborne. The seller's email is listed. Guess I'll give him a holler. I was just curious about the lack of available data. I suppose I could start a museum.

Jeez, that's awfully rough words, Bob. I know of two that have flown. There was an article by Kevin Renshaw (mid 1980s, Dallas area, I think) that flew one 'open cockpit'. Terrible glide, as I recall.

And Glenn Mauch out near Dodge City, Kansas has one. He extended the wing a bit, to maybe 35 feet. Polished metal except for bright orange nose and wing tips. Flew some pretty good flights with it. It is the one in the picture (in flight, too, Bob!) in the old EAA magazines when the guy was still selling plans (late 60s early 70s). Cute little glider, but an odd trailer with that one piece wing.

I know of at least two projects (one advertised for sale, one not) if you are really interested, Eggs. And I won't make you say 'Neep!' or cut down the mightiest tree in the forrest with a Herring, either.

Steve Leonard Keeper of Knowledge of Mutant Gliders and sometimes known as 'Tim' (Sorry about all the Python references. It's a looong way to soaring

Yo Eggs, If I were looking for a good little sailplane, I would take my $3200 bucks and start offering it to all the Duster owners out there. I'm betting one of them will sell at that price. Sweet little machine for the money. I flew all my badges in one, except 1000K, switched to glass for that. JJ Sinclair