http://www.willswing.com/news.asp?newsSeek=332

The new carbon speedbar will fit all gliders fitted with Slipstream or Slipstream 2 control bars (Talons, T2's). A Litestream compatible version will be available in the Spring of 2008. Features of the new carbon speedbar include a re-designed shape, with a deep offset planform. The grip positions are optimized for comfort, control and aerodynamics in all phases of flight. Specially designed flares in the grip area allow for effortless maintenance of optimum bank angle when thermaling.

Thanks to Aaron.

What is Slipstream 2? I asked Steve Pearson at Wills Wing. He wrote:

Slipstream 1 and 2 are the same except for the web. Fusions and Talons used Slipstream (illustrated at http://www.willswing.com/features/streamlined-comparison.htm). The T2 uses Slipstream 2.

In Slipstream 2, the web is extruded with the profile and positioned further back (cordwise) to allow the traveling pulley to fit in the forward section (in front of the web). With Slipstream, the traveling pulley is in the section behind the web, and the web is installed as a secondary operation. The change in the web position was required because of the difference in the Talon and T2 VG system, and I convinced the extruder to try to extrude the web with the profile (technically a little more difficult).

The web is the thin mid-cord strip that keeps the walls separated. Without the web, the sidewall of the downtube collapses prematurely as it goes out of column and the down tube fails sooner than you might expect from the section properties, especially in bending.

More about Wills Wing control bars can be found here: http://www.willswing.com/features/controlBars.asp

Discuss Base bar at the Oz Report forum
   
 
 
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