Schempp-Hirth
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Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH is a sailplane manufacturer based in Kirchheim, Germany.
It was founded in 1935 by Martin Schempp and Wolf Hirth at Göppingen as Sportsflugzeuge Göppingen. The factory was moved to its current location and changed to its current name in 1938.
The company's first product was the Göppingen Gö 1 Wolf glider, conceived as a rival to the ubiquitous Grunau Baby, but real success came with the Göppingen Gö 3 Minimoa the same year.
During World War II, the company built DFS Habicht training gliders, as well as tailplane assemblies for the Messerschmitt Bf 109. The company also built a research aircraft, the Göppingen Gö 9 to investigate Claude Dornier's rear-mounted "pusher" propeller plans. With its cruciform tail, this aircraft was to be a stepping-stone towards the revolutionary Dornier Do 335 Pfeil.
After the war, forbidden by the allied occupation from building aircraft, the company manufactured beds, wheelbarrows, radio cabinets, and other furniture. In 1951, the prohibitions were lifted and the company returned to sailplane building.
Schempp-Hirth aircraft include:
- Göppingen Gö 1 Wolf I sailplane,1935
- Göppingen Gö 3 Minimoa sailplane, 1936
- Göppingen Gö 4 sailplane
- Göppingen Gö 5 sailplane, 1937
- Göppingen Gö 9 development aircraft for Do 335 Pfeil
- Standard Austria sailplane line
- Cirrus sailplane line
- Discus sailplane line
- Ventus sailplane line
- Nimbus line
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External link
Schempp-Hirth company website (http://www.schempp-hirth.com)