The Seedwings Europe Merlin is an Austrian high-wing, single-place, hang glider that was designed and produced by Seedwings Europe of Schlitters. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
Design and development
The Merlin was designed as an intermediate-level hang glider with an emphasis on optimized sail design to eliminate twist at all speeds. It is made from aluminum tubing, with the double-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth.
The models are each named for their rough wing area in square feet.
Merlin 133
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 9.9 m (32.5 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 132°, the wing area is 12.4 m
2 (133 sq ft)and the aspect ratio is 8:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 60 to 80 kg (132 to 176 lb). The glider is DHV 3 certified.
Merlin 148
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 10.25 m (33.6 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 133°, the wing area is 13.8 m
2 (149 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 70 to 90 kg (154 to 198 lb). The glider is DHV 2-3 certified.
Merlin 158
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 10.4 m (34.1 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 133°, the wing area is 14.6 m
2 (157 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.4:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 80 to 110 kg (176 to 243 lb). The glider is DHV 2-3 certified.
Data from Bertrand
General characteristics
Crew: one
Wingspan: 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 12.4 m2 (133 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 8:1
