Schweizer SGS 1-21
Schweizer Aircraft · United States · first flew 1947 · glider
The Schweizer SGS 1-21 is a single-seat, mid-wing Open Class glider. It was a clean-sheet design by Ernest Schweizer intended as a high-performance competition sailplane.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.73 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat mid-wing all-metal sailplane
- High aspect ratio wing of 15.75
- Two spoilers on top of each wing and one underneath
Look for a clean all-metal single-seater with a long, narrow mid-mounted wing and 266 lb of water ballast carried in two wing tanks.
Specifications
- The Schweizer SGS 1-21 has a length of 6.73 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.54 m (51 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was first announced in the September-October 1946 issue of Soaring magazine. Two orders came from the Harvard Glider Club, which was enough for Schweizer to start production.
Variants
Only two were built. The design was then redesigned and simplified to sell for less, becoming the Schweizer SGS 1-23, which was built until 1967.
Where you'll see it
The first 1-21 flew in early 1947 and was delivered to Dick Comey, who won that year's US Nationals in it. The second was donated to the Soaring Society of America.
Related aircraft
- Schweizer SGS 1-23
- Schweizer SGU 2-22
- Schweizer SGS 2-12
- Schweizer SGS 2-25
- Aermacchi MB.308
- Aero 45
- Aeronca 15 Sedan
- Ambrosini S.1001 Grifo
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