Schempp-Hirth Arcus vs. Duo Discus
Schemp-Hirth is developing the new Arcus, a 20m flapped two seat glider based on the Duo Discus. I love the Duo Discus and the Arcus looks very interesting. Schemp-Hirth say the airfoil for the Arcus is developed by Dr. Werner Würz and others contributed to the modified planform and winglets. There is some of the kind of pointless “Is it a flapped Duo Discus? Is is not?” discussion on r.a.s. Well it’s a 20m flapped double seater based on the Duo Discus XL with tweaked/modified airfoils and planform etc. Like nobody is going to just be crazy enough to take the exiting Duo and just cut flaps into the airfoil. It’s going to be changed and the aerodynamics updated. Is a “flapped Duo Discus”? You bet, and that would be pretty good marketing to leverage off all us Duo Discus lovers.
Anyhow I pasted Schemp-Hirth’s artists renderings for the Arcus and Duo Discus XL over each other and you can see the large version PDF if you click on the image above. This of course depends on the accuracy of the artist renderings Schemp-Hirth uses in marketing materials.
Hi Darryl,
I may agree with your comments on the very minimal differences in appearence between the Duo and the Arcus but in reality it looks like the Arcus will offer a much a better performance and options. I love the Duo (I have an XT) but the L/D of the Arcus is better, the flaps will help in the take off and also when you need to accelerate but most importantly; for those who love the Duo, we will have the option of a self launcher which is ultimately why I will choose the Arcus M and may be ready to pay higher. The Arcus and T version probably offer only marginal improvements.
Regards
Jose Luis
Cheers
Jose Luis
Comment by Jose Luis — March 17, 2010 @ 1:10 pm