Recently I've done some comparisons of the 5 Sailplanes above for my own personal use and I share this now with others to save them the work of collecting it themselves. Of the 5, all but the SGS 1-34 can be bought new. The 1-34 sells used for $15K with trailer, where the others run from $22K -$30K (new) with enclosed trailer.

There is a lot to consider in buying a sailplane. The most comforting part is that they don't seem to depreciate unless they are involved in an accident. A matter of fact they have APPRECIATED historically. 1-34s were built from 1969 - 1976 and sold new for $8000 with trailer. So rather than park your money in a CD or mutual fund, park it in a thermal !

The following table is a summary of the data I have collected, followed by some personal discussion. Beware that this is ADVERTISED information, not measured information. Some test data exists that dispute some advertised performance claims. Please keep in mind too that I have not flown any of these but I have seen them all and have talked to many owners of each in drawing my own conclusions.

NOTE: INFORMATION and PRICES ARE AS PROVIDED TO ME FROM THE VENDORs 11/97 -1/98. CONSULT EACH VENDOR FOR the LATEST INFORMATION, OFFERINGS, and PRICING. Pricing is "Base" and as you add options and shipping to your destination the bottom line will be higher. IF you are about to buy one of these new sailplanes please collect the latest literature from the rep and rely on their most current information, offerings, and pricing rather than relying exclusively on the information presented here.

	SGS 1-34	Blanik L-33 solo	Russia  AC-4	Junior 51-1	PW-5
Dimensions	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
Wing Span(ft)	49.2	46.33	41.3	49.2	44.1
Length (ft)	25.4	21.72	17.2	21.9	20.4
Height (ft)	7.5	4.7	4.3	5.1	6.4
Wing area (Sq.Ft)	151	118.4	82.9	134.6	109
Aspect ratio	16	18.12	20.6	18	17.8
Wing loading at full-up weight (lb/sq.ft)	5.5	6.33	6.66	6.2	6
Mean Aerodynamic Cord (ft)		2.7
Best Glide ratio (measured)	34@55 mph (47.8 KIAS) (88.5 km/hr)	33@49 KIAS (56mph) (90.7 km/h)	31@45 KIAS (51.8 mph) (83.3 km/h)	35@43 KIAS (50mph) (80 km/h)	33@43 KIAS (49.3 mph) (79.6 km/h)
Min. rate of sink (low end)	126 fpm@47 mph (41 KIAS) (75.6 km/h)	130 fpm@37 KIAS (42.5 mph) (68.5 km/h)	130 fpm@37 KIAS (42.5 mph) (68.5 km/h)	114 fpm@37.8 KIAS (43.2 mph) (70 km/h)	126 fpm@73 km/h (45 mph) (39.4 KIAS)
Min. rate of sink (Cruise end)		280 fpm@65 KIAS (75 mph) (120 km/h)	340 fpm@70 KIAS (80.5 mph) (129.5 km/h)	275 fpm@70 KIAS (80.5 mph) (129.5 km/h)
Min. rate of sink (Top end)		450 fpm@80 KIAS (92 mph) (148 km/h)		393 fpm@80 KIAS (92 mph) (148 km/h)
COMPARE POLARS		POLAR	POLAR	POLAR	POLAR
Airspeed Speed	KIAS	KIAS	KIAS	KIAS	KIAS
Never exceed speed		130	119	119	119
Rough air		82		84
Maneuvering speed		85	84	84
Maximum winch launching speed		70		70
Maximum aerotowing speed		85		81
Stall		35@max wt.	34.5@440lb	32.4@ave wt.	33
g-limits		+5.3/-2.65	+5.3/-2.6	+5.3/-2.65	+5.3/-2.65
Weights	LBS	LBS	LBS	LBS	LBS
Max T/O and Landing	840	750	551	837	660
Empty	550	463	279	495	410
Pilot	230	121-287	270	123-309	251
Wing Weight		115	75	116	81
Pilot ht.		5.1 - 6.6 ft		5.0 - 6.6 ft
Other
Airfoil	FX-61-163	FX 60-17AII-182  FX-60-126 (tip)	FX-60-157	SO2-196 SO2-158 (tip)	NN 18-17
# built/in USA	93/69	70/35	30/18 (12/1/97)	100/7	160/50 (12/8/97)
Handicap	1.31	1.22	1.22		1.24
Adjustable rudder pedals	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
TE probe installed		Y	Y	Y	Not Required
Nose and CG tow hooks				Y
Rig time	>15min	>10 min	<5 min	>10 min	<10 min
Airworthiness Certificate	Y	Y	N	N	N
Pricing - provided by reps
Base aircraft	$13K - used	$22,700 base  [Note 1]	$18,000 base	$23,450 base	$21,500 base
Perf Package			$495 to get 33:1
Trailers - Enclosed		$5,900	$4500	$4,450 - 7,450	$5,750
CONVERTERS =	1 mph (1.61 km/h) (.869 KIAS)	1 KIAS (1.15 mph) (1.85 km/h)	1 km/h (.62 mph) (.54 KIAS)	1 KIAS (1.15 mph) (1.85 km/h)	1 ft = .303 m 1 m = 3.28 ft

Notes

1. Price DELIVERED to 14 states and 4 Canadian Provinces. Other locations are higher; contact rep.

1-34

• PROs: Solid, all metal, easy to fly, least cost for same performance, very very safe, has vertical dive brakes, great contest handicap. Can leave tied out. Favorite in many clubs. Climbs well. Easy to repair and maintain. USA made. Schweizer still supplies parts as needed.
• CONs: Lumbers a bit, old styling, high hours, heavy, some visibility complaints, high rig time, most have had some work done on them, most need new paint, trailers are rare (may need to buy/make one), limited availability, should keep below 80kt (75% of original redline). Somewhat overpriced. Could depreciate rather than appreciate over next 5 years. Some nearing end of useful life.

• PROs: Metal, easy and fun to fly, safe, looks very pretty. Great air brakes and great wheel brake. Only new offering with Airworthiness Certificate in USA. Has highest Vne. Can leave tied out. Plush and roomy interior. Parachute option. Can get direct from factory with many options as desired. Factory rep in USA (see Manufacturers page). Quick delivery. Good support for parts. Solid manufacturer. Reasonable price. Nice trailers. Happy customers so far.
• CONs: New in 1993 (not a lot built yet). Poorer climb than PW-5 reported by an L33 owner. Seat not adjustable in flight.

• PROs: Light, all-glass, lowest new cost, easy to fly. Climbs well. Compact, efficient. Quick rigging. Very roomy. Good measured performance (with performance kit option). Retract option coming. Low cost parts (replacement canopy only $650!). Parachute option. USA distributor (see Manufacturers page). [3 March 99 NOTE:  The RUSSIA home page has many new polars to review ...check it out !  ALSO PLEASE READ THE 6 MARCH 99 CORRESPONDENCE I HAD WITH CHAD MOORE ON the current state of the RUSSIA IN THE USA.   READ CHAD MOORES THOUGHTS. ]
• CONs: New in 1993 (not a lot built yet). Few in USA. Russian supplier. Styling inside is pure Moscow. Support system is just now forming. May have to acquire/set-up your own enclosed trailer (although one is planned for display at 98 SSA Convention). Not the most sexy choice.

• PROs: Solid, all glass, fun to fly. Great looking. Great reputation. Great performance. Roomy interior. Good visibility. 2 tow hooks ! Great price. USA distributors, and trailers available (see Manufacturers page). Quick delivery. Good support for parts. Solid Polish manufacturer. Can move up to next Polish ship in the future (55-1 or SZD-56 Diana).
• CONs: Few in USA at the moment. The SZD USA rep has changed several times over the years making long-term support a concern.

• PROs: Solid, all glass, fun to fly. Roomy interior. Good visibility. Easy to wheel around on the ground. Great price. USA distributors, and trailer kits available (see Manufacturers page). Quick delivery. Good support for parts. Solid Polish manufacturer. Good value. Opens up some new competition possibilities for single class.
• CONs: Minor options/Comes bare-bones. A bit "weak" on the ground, could get damaged within clubs. Looks a bit odd at first. You pick-up in Texas, Colorado, or Tennesee.