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Bowlus / BS-100 Super Albatross

Glider Reg. Number: N33658

1942

Design & Development

The Bowlus BS-100 Super Albatross is a single seat, mid-wing glider that was designed by Hawley Bowlus in 1938. 

The Super Albatross was created from a Baby Albatross fuselage pod and tail boom. The wings used the outer panels of the Senior Albatross. The resulting aircraft was of wooden construction, with the wings and tail surfaces covered in aircraft fabric. The tail boom is a metal tube.

Only two examples were constructed. The first was built by Bowlus and features an all-flying horizontal stabilizer. The second was built by Frank Kelsey and has a fixed horizontal stabilizer and flaps in addition to spoilers.

The NSM Bowlus Super Albatross was donated to the museum in 1982 Herman Stiglemeier.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m)
• Wing area: 125 sq ft (11.6 m)
• Aspect ratio: 15.7
• Airfoil: Gö 549, with the wingtips having a symmetrical airfoil
• Empty weight: 435 lb (197 kg)
• Gross weight: 645 lb (293 kg)

Performance

• Maximum glide ratio: 29:1 at 47 mph
• Rate of sink: 150 ft/min (0.76 m/s) at 42 mph
• Wing loading: 5.25 lb/sq ft (25.6 kg/m)