Schempp Hirth Nimbus 3/25.5m
Serial No. 1
£35,000
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of gliding history: the very first Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3 ever built. Serial Number 1, this legendary machine was constructed for none other than Klaus Holighaus and has been flown by soaring greats including Hans-Werner Grosse. This is not just a glider—it’s a milestone in the evolution of high-performance soaring.
Key Features:
Total Hours: 3080
Launches: TBC
Manufactured: 1981
Instruments:
Basic instrumentation
SteFly OpenVario with Sensor Box RAM Mount for Oudie
ACD with KRT2 and Transponder Display
AC1 Mode S Transponder
PowerFlarm Core with dual antenna and ADSB Out
Stick Top Control for OpenVario
Blank instrument panel can be provided
Canopy Flasher
Included Equipment: Pfeiffer Trailer, All Required Rigging Aids, Ballasting Kit, 1yr old SoaringXX tow out kit, 2yr old Kerry Covers and older Jaxida covers.
Location: In stock at Hinton in the Hedges
Certification: 12 months ARC and Annual inspection valid thru May 2026
Handling Characteristics: Refinished in polyurethane, the wings are in superb condition and the aircraft has been meticulously maintained. This Nimbus 3 has been thoughtfully modified to accept 25.5m wingtips, unlocking its full performance potential. With a glide ratio of 60:1, it remains a serious contender for long-distance and record flying.
Whether you’re a collector, a competitor, or a serious cross-country pilot, this Nimbus 3 offers a rare combination of pedigree, performance, and readiness. It’s not just a capable glider—it’s a glider with a story, flown by the pioneers of our sport and prepared to the highest standard for its next chapter.
This is more than an aircraft—it’s a legacy. Don’t miss the chance to own a truly iconic glider with unmatched heritage and performance.
We Say: This is my personal glider and i’ll be gutted to see it go, but a change of class (and pending house renovation!) force sale. MTOW is 750kg, Empty Mass is 410kg - total ballast capacity is 270L. At 750KG this glider romps along at 80-85kts and will keep up with pretty much any glider - I flew this to 11th place in my first Open Nationals.
Do not be fooled by the size - it’s a very docile glider and an ideal step up from the club or standard class. It can be easily rigged by 2 people in 20min.