The Nimbus 3T
Schempp-Hirth's
replacement for the
Nimbus 2 was the Nimbus3. The original version, which first flew in
1981, has a 22.9 meter wing, which may be increased to 24.5 and even
25.5 meters with tip extensions. The wing is in four pieces plus the
tip extension, and is equipped with flaps interconnected with upper
surface trailing edge airbrakes.
Approach control is assisted by top surface double segment airbrakes. The 24.5 and 25.5 tips have spoiler flap incorporated at the trailing edge. When rolling at large aileron deflection, the spoiler flap deploys to compensate for lack of rudder to permit coordinated flight.
The Nimbus3 won the first 6 places in the Open Class at the 1983 World Championships at Hobbs, NM, as well as taking 9 of the next 12 places. It also won the first 8 places in the Open Class at the 1985 Worlds at Rieti, Italy. The sustainer version (Nimbus 3T) has a 15 kW/21 bhp Oehler Solo 2350 turbo engine.
Approach control is assisted by top surface double segment airbrakes. The 24.5 and 25.5 tips have spoiler flap incorporated at the trailing edge. When rolling at large aileron deflection, the spoiler flap deploys to compensate for lack of rudder to permit coordinated flight.
The Nimbus3 won the first 6 places in the Open Class at the 1983 World Championships at Hobbs, NM, as well as taking 9 of the next 12 places. It also won the first 8 places in the Open Class at the 1985 Worlds at Rieti, Italy. The sustainer version (Nimbus 3T) has a 15 kW/21 bhp Oehler Solo 2350 turbo engine.
Some technical details :
- Wingspan of 25.5 meters
- Empty weight : 410 kg
- Maximum weight : 750 kg
- Best gliding ratio : 60 at 110 km/h
Landing with the Nimbus3T i salways a
real pleasure. The airbrakes are very efficient. When setting the flaps
on "Landing" position, you really feel that the Nimbus is loosing
"lift" and it slow down to about 80 km/h.
Oxygen on board
The nimbus is equipped with a A-14 oxygen regulator. I appreciate this kind of equipment very much because it is robust and has proven in the past its reliability. In addition, It is very easy to use it and allows to connect a military MBU 5/p or MBU12/9 oxygen mask.
The A-14 oxygen regulator can also be connected to a "Blinkler" in order to test the system when you are respiring. Most of the time I directly connect the oxygen bottle (200 bar) directly to the A14 unit. The excess of pressure is evacuated by the security device inside the A-14. You could also implement between the bottle and the A-14 another regulator bringing the pressure from the bottle from 200 bars down to 40 bars.
When I sold the Nimbus 3T I kept the oxygen equipment and did install it on my ASH26E.
