Ho I b, Our First Glider Reborn
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The club began to build it in 1950, and finished it about four years later. Incredible obstacles had to be overcome by the club members in order to obtain the necessary building materials. It took a day to travel to Buenos Aires, another day back. The various materials needed had to be scrounged from the dealers in the capital,; mail ordering was impossible, and most items requested had to be backordered.
With this in mind, a single unit was built, to eliminate the need for assembly bolts and brackets.
The fact that the designer lived two days of travel away did not expedite things, either.
After a short hop behind a car, the Ho I b was towed aloft by an airplane. The test was 100% successful, excellent control harmony, clean turns, no stall or spin tendencies, and precise glide path control, by using both drag rudders together.
The Ho I B was ready for club member use after a couple of minor adjustments, and it flew for the next 25 years without accidents! Performance were quite similar to, and perhaps a little better than the familiar Grunau Baby.
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