??? Of course old gliders are fun, including Blaniks. Of course there are "better things" (now) than Blaniks, but they are still lovely to fly and a good trainer after more than 50 years! Remember they were a mid 1950s design (contemporary with Kookaburras, Phillip Will's Dart* and similar) which first flew in _1956_ and there really wasn't any better common two seater available for 20+ years.
SWK *PS I just had a quick look in Martin Simon's Slingsby book. The Dart first flew in Nov 1963. The Blanik is actually 3/4 of a decade _older_ than the Dart. I think people overlook what an outstanding thing the Blanik really was _in context_. PPS I have flown _some_ old gliders (about 50 types in my logbook) and own a H17 (I don't think you'll find a slower, quieter and more open VH-glider in Australia) they aren't better (or worse) than "modern" gliders, just different. ----- Original Message ----- "I turned south and whispered for home at 40 knots. For 20 miles I flew, gaining height at half a knot, everything so quiet that it was not the Dart which was moving, it was the dreamy earth below which was being drawn silently backwards." When I read this from Phillip Wills, I think something has been lost in modern gliders. If you have experienced flying in the open, really slow and quiet, or whispered along in an old, slow glider, than I doubt you would attempt to challenge the idea that while soaring with eagles in a modern sailplane is OK, naked is better. I'm no traditionalist and if I ever get elected to any responsible form of public office I would ensure that all blanics are turned into beer cans. But I am saying this from a point of view having experience both blanics, and something better. How about you?
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