Glasflügel 402

The last type in the proud chain of Glasflügel gliders was the Glasflügel 402, registration D-2611 and the competition number 17M.

The first flight on 16.12.1980 was carried out by M. Hansen.

As a further development of the 304, it was designed from the outset for a wingspan of 17m. The fuselage was lengthened and the tail surfaces enlarged. The 402 was to succeed the legendary Kestrel, whereby the use of carbon fibres in the spar caps could have significantly reduced its empty weight.

For flights in the 15-meter class, the outer wings could be removed. Regardless of wingspan, it was always allowed to fly with full water ballast (maximum flight weight 500 kg), all flap positions and the maximum speed of 270 km/h. Like the Mosquito and the 304, the 402 had the combined flap-brake flap system.

As a further development, a self launching motor glider variant with propulsion and folding propeller housed in the fuselage was in the design phase.

There was only one 402 built. The fuselage is now part of the Falcon and the wings were used on a Glasflügel 304 which is now known as 304/17.