winsor68 Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 I recently found online from the Australian Gliding Museum ... This Edmund Schneider ES-49b was I believe the second of the two produced by Edmund Schneider in around 1953 heralding the beginning of serious production of a line of Australian built Sailplanes that became the backbone of Australian Gliding until the glass revolution put wooden airframes out of contention. When she was first born she was a world class performance machine and soon became a record holder. My Mum learnt to fly in this sailplane (taught by my Dad) before I was born... the video aboveshows Mum and Dad climbing in to her in the very early days (at 12mins30secs). This is the rudder... Please note... she was crashed after leaving the Isa... and my Dad was forever after broken hearted about that I kid you not. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 My first glider flight was a "Kookaburra"? Does that sound right?. I think I went in it so as not to offend the owner. It flew OK but I was a total "petrol head" then and it had to have an engine up front to interest me much. ( I have changed since you will be pleased to know). Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Koreelah Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Fascinating footage, Win. Great to see some of our pioneering history has been recorded. Will this be made available to National Film and Sound Archives? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maj Millard Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Yes some very historic and enjoyable footage there Don, especially the towing from the Tigermoth, Auster and VW !!....thanks for posting it. That glider has such lovely lines and a really beautifull wing, I can understand your fathers discust at it's eventual demise. Would there be any surviving examples ?....................Maj... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winsor68 Posted August 2, 2013 Author Share Posted August 2, 2013 My first glider flight was a "Kookaburra"? Does that sound right?. I think I went in it so as not to offend the owner. It flew OK but I was a total "petrol head" then and it had to have an engine up front to interest me much. ( I have changed since you will be pleased to know). Nev Kookaburra would be correct...the ES52... they became the backbone of the clubs throughout Australia under the GFA... The Kookaburra in its most common variants had a wingspan of less than 12 metres...interestingly the Kangaroo had a wingspan of 18 metres...The two machines built achieved their goal admirably and were the first of what became the largest Australian designed aircraft fleet flying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bexrbetter Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 It'll buff out .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virago Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 I just noticed this morning that there is an airworthy ES52 Kookaburra for sale on eBay. That should bring back some memories ... my earliest glider flights were in a Kooka at Cunderdin (W.A.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
facthunter Posted August 29, 2013 Share Posted August 29, 2013 My mother had a pressure Kooka. They probably go to the same period. Nev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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