RAND KR-1B

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • This motorglider is a modified KR-1 featuring an extended 27-foot wingspan (91 sq ft area) with a dual-airfoil design and a larger tail, enabling responsive control and deadstick landings at 70 mph.
  • It is powered by a 60-hp VW engine, achieving a maximum cruise speed of 130 mph.
  • With a 33-gallon fuel capacity, the motorglider offers an impressive range of up to 1,020 miles at 120 mph (8.25 hours endurance), or 950 miles at 130 mph with 29 mpg.
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This sleek motorglider is essentially a stock KR-1 with longer wings and a bigger tail. For a wing curve, an RAF-48 standard KR-1 airfoil was used for the center section and the GA(W)-2 airfoil for the replacement outer panels. The outer wing section provides a clean and responsive curve for use with a spoiler/flap control, permitting deadstick landings at 70 mph TAS. Where the stock KR-1 wingspan is 172″, the motorglider wingspan measures 27′ from tip to tip, thereby increasing square footage from 64 to 91. Power is supplied by
a 60-hp VW engine. Maximum cruise is 130 mph, and with 33 gallons of fuel, range is 950 miles while getting 29 mpg. At the standard 4-gph burn rate, 33 gallons should deliver 8.25 hours of flying at 120 mph for a range of 1,020 miles.

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