Mü17 ‘Merle’ (1938)

The Mü17 "Merle" also known as "Aerostar" and "Kleidebüge" is the oldest sailplane still flown by the Akaflieger today. It was designed for the Olympics 1940. It took part in the construction competition proclaimed by the ISTUS. Two prototypes were built. Simpliness in erecting the plane for instance it had automatic coupling of the ailerons and flaps. The second prototype took part in the evaluation in Roma but was placed second after the DFS Olympia-Meise. Sixty of this design was built, some with retractable landinggear. No one survived WW 2.  One was built in 1961 and used by the Akaflieger for training.

Details Span 15 m Wingarea 13.3 m Aspectratio 16.9 Wingload 22.6 kg Wingprofile Mü Weight empty 157.7 kg Flying weight 300 kg Lowest sink 0.64 m/s at 58 km/h Gliding ratio 26 at 75 km/h