[Bob Kuczewski]

Photos from the original Otto meet (and others), courtesy of photographer Frank Colver:

[SamKellner]

Wow,

'71. Yeah, thanks Otto

[Bob Kuczewski]

Here are a few more that Frank just sent ...

[SamKellner]

Frank,

Skysail . How long did it take for your design to evolve from the blackpoly batso to the skysail ? '71 to '72?

[Frank Colver]

My son Matt and his friend Ernest Feher built the bamboo and plastic glider (R Miller's Bamboo Bomber) that was at the 1st Otto meet (Matt in photo #4). After the meet I started designing my Skysail with inspiration from Richard Miller's Conduit Condor. After testing a scale model (which I still have) actual construction on the Skysail started on November 5, 1971 and the wing was taken to the field for the first time on January 22 of 1972. I sold many copies of plans for a model of the Skysail but never for the full size version, due to liability worries. If someone scaled it up that was their choice.

After I quit flying the Skysail it was donated to the San Diego Aerospace Museum where it burned up in the fire that destroyed the museum.

Frank Colver

[JoeF]

Top Drawer

[BigBird]

What absolutely blows my mind is the advancements from these photos and times to the gliders like the UP Comet less than 10 years later.

I'm always amazed when I see the 'good ol' daze' and the large crowds that always gathered to see the modern birth of bird-like-flight.

Many pioneers gave their all in an effort to see our sport and equipment improve and evolve... Much respect and RIP to them all.


Phil

[Merlin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyPszC_Jqaw
I noticed when I watched "Playground in the Sky" awhile back that there was a clip of a Colver Skysail actually flying (which I hadn't seen before). See the 31:10 mark.

[Bob Kuczewski]

I noticed when I watched "Playground in the Sky" awhile back that there was a clip of a Colver Skysail actually flying (which I hadn't seen before). See the 31:10 mark.

Good eye Merlin!!!

Here's one of Frank's photos while building it:

Building_the_Colver_Skysail_2xc.JPG (45.31 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

And here's a clip from the movie:

Playground_2950.jpeg (35.37 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

That hat looks suspiciously similar.     

Here are some more clips from the movie (the file names are Playground_mmss.jpeg):

Playground_2952.jpeg (46 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_2955.jpeg (42.26 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_2956.jpeg (43.21 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_2957.jpeg (42.57 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3112.jpeg (35.47 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3113.jpeg (33.9 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3114.jpeg (32 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3114b.jpeg (30.06 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3115.jpeg (27.82 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3117.jpeg (34.65 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3118.jpeg (32.56 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3119.jpeg (33.56 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3120.jpeg (36.11 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

Playground_3121.jpeg (33.15 KiB) Viewed 12872 times

[Bob Kuczewski]

Good observations Phil!!

I'm always amazed when I see the 'good ol' daze' and the large crowds that always gathered to see the modern birth of bird-like-flight.

We've lost that to a great extent because pilots mostly fly at sites where they can get altitude and distance rather than exposure to the public. That's why it's great to see efforts made by local clubs to bring hang gliding to typically non-flying public events like parades and shows. I've seen this done by the Tooele Hawks and the Southwest Texas Hang Gliders and others. Good job!!