Rotondi R-1 Gheppio

The Rotondi R-1 Gheppio (English: Kestrel) was a lightweight, single seat Italian glider. It featured a relatively short wingspan (ten meters). One example was built in the early 1950s.

R-1 Gheppio
Role Single seat glider
National origin Italy
Designer Gianfranco Rotondi
First flight 1952
Status Sole example destroyed
Number built 1

Development

The Ghoppia was a cantilever mid-wing monoplane. Its straight tapered wing was built in one piece for lightness around a single spar and had marked dihedral. The outer half of the wing's trailing edge carried ailerons mounted on a false spar; trailing edge airbrakes occupied the inner portion of the wingspan. These airbrakes turned out to be rather ineffective. The wing terminated in small tip bodies.[1][2]

The fuselage was built in two sections that bolted together. It was ovoid in cross-section, tapering aft to a conventional but integral tail. The fin was straight edged with a rounded tip and a small fillet at its base. Its rudder extended down to the keel. The tailplane was mounted on the fin near the top of the fillet, carrying elevators that had a large cut-out for rudder movement. The Ghoppia's cockpit was over the wing, under a rather prominent canopy which opened by sliding rearwards. This had perspex transparencies forwards and to the sides but was opaque rearwards and above. A skid, reaching aft to about mid-chord, and a tail bumper formed the undercarriage.[1][2]

Partly due to the single-piece wing, the Ghoppia was unusually light with an empty weight of only 80 kg (176 lb).[1]

Operational history

The Ghoppia was first flown from Bresso, then later from Linate, sometimes launched by aerotow. The sole example was lost in an out-landing accident during a competition organised by the aeroclub of Milan.[1][2]

Specifications

Data from Pedrielli (2011) p. 221[1]

General characteristics

  • Capacity: One
  • Length: 5.50 m (18 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 8.0 m2 (86 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 12.5
  • Empty weight: 80 kg (176 lb)
  • Gross weight: 160 kg (353 lb)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: estimated, 23:1
  • Wing loading: 20.0 kg/m2 (4.1 lb/sq ft)
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References
  1. Pedrielli, Vincenzo; Camastra, Francesco (2011). Italian Vintage Sailplanes. Königswinter: EQIP Werbung & Verlag GmbH. pp. 220–1. ISBN 9783980883894.
  2. "R1 Gheppio" (PDF). Retrieved 4 November 2013.
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