Scheibe Bergfalke IV
Scheibe Flugzeugbau · Germany · first flew 1961 · glider
The Scheibe Bergfalke IV is a two-seat training sailplane produced by the German manufacturer Scheibe Flugzeugbau, representing the fourth evolution of the Bergfalke ('Mountain Falcon') series.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- Two-seat training glider with T-tail
- Wooden construction typical of post-war German sailplane design
Two-seat wooden sailplane with a T-tail and mid-mounted straight-tapered wings; the T-tail distinguishes it from the earlier Bergfalke variants.
Specifications
- The Scheibe Bergfalke IV has a length of 8.4 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17 m (56 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Scheibe developed the Bergfalke series through the 1950s and 1960s as robust, all-wooden two-seat gliders suitable for ab initio and advanced soaring training. The Bergfalke IV incorporated a T-tail and refined aerodynamics compared to its predecessors.
Variants
The series progressed from Bergfalke I through IV, each refining the design; the IV was the ultimate production version and sold in reasonable numbers across European gliding clubs.
Where you'll see it
Widely used by gliding clubs across West Germany and exported to other European nations; still occasionally encountered at vintage glider events.
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- Scheibe SF 36
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- Handley Page HP.115
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