Steinhauser Sailplane Company Midwest Utility Glider - MU-1
Glider Reg. Number: NC31680
1943
Design & Development
The MU-1 was built by the Steinhauser Sailplane Co in April 1943. The first owner was John Giomi of McAllen, TX, who purchased it for $1,275.00 in August 1944; followed by Al Cleave of Mercedes, TX 1951; Don Goode & Tom George of Harlingen, TX 1956; Ken Swanson, Prescott Soaring Club, AZ 1962; Dave Schuur, Flatrock, IL 2011.
Dave Schuur gave the MU-1 to Chad Wille in September 2012 at the VSA meet in Wichita that year.
During Chad Wille's most recent restoration, the stripping of old parts indicated that the original factory color was most likely red. Later, it was painted light blue/turquoise, and still later, white with silver doped wings.
The wing structure is 99% original wood, but has been extensively re-glued. All other parts of the glider are also original, including the unusual “Micarta” wheel and plywood wheel fender. The clear doped cotton on the wings is original to when the glider was first licensed in 1944. Unusual features are: quick-folding tail, no windscreen, and large spring-loaded wingtip skids. The original selling price was $1275.00
This glider is the last remaining Midwest Utility glider.
Specifications
General characteristics
Crew: one
Wingspan: 36 ft 10.97 m
Wing area: 172 sq ft 16.0 m2
Aspect ratio: 7.5:1
Airfoil: NACA 4412
Empty weight: 323 lb 147 kg
Gross weight: 513 lb 233 kg
Performance
Never exceed speed: 80 mph 130 km/h, 70 kn
Maximum glide ratio: 15:1 at 36 mph 58 km/h
Rate of sink: 174 ft/min (0.88 m/s) @ 30 mph (48 km/h
Wing loading: 3 lb/sq ft 15 kg/m2