Wednesday 23 December 2020

Edmund Schneider ESG 29 / Grunau 9

A precarious treetop incident involving a stranded Edmund Schneider-designed ESG 29 (Grunau 9) Schädelspalter [skullsplitter] Schulgleiter [training glider]. The aircraft is equipped with the optional "boot" [boat], i.e., a lightweight aerodynamic fairing around the usually fully exposed pilot's seat.

Detailed examination of the airframe reveals Olympic rings on the vertical tail, signifying the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. According to the sketchy information available to me, this photo was taken in Neudorf/Oppeln, Silesia, in summer of 1939 (but an earlier year is possible). The pilot's fate is unknown to me. (German Aviation 1919-1945 collection)