Ross R-2 Ibis

The Ross R-2 Ibis was a single seat, mid-wing, gull winged glider that was designed by Harland Ross in about 1938, under a commission from the Soaring Society of America. The sole example was destroyed in 1940.^[1][2]

R-2 Ibis
Role	Glider
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Harland Ross
Designer	Harland Ross
First flight	circa 1938
Status	One built, written off 1940
Number built	One
Developed from	Ross RS-1 Zanonia
Variants	Ross RH-3

Design and development

With the success of the Ross RS-1 Zanonia placing third at the 1937 US Nationals and also winning second place in the Eaton Design Contest, the Soaring Society of America commissioned Ross to design and build a new sailplane for the SSA's promotional use. The resulting R-2 was named for the Ibis bird and was very similar to the RS-1, using a similar gull wing of 48 ft (14.6 m) span and an all-flying tail.^[1][2]

Even though the sole example was only flown for three years the R-2 lead to the Ross RH-3 design.^[1][2]

Operational history

In use the R-2 was quite successful, making the first wave soaring flight in the United States on 25 October 1938 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.^[1][2]

The glider was written off after an auto-towing accident in 1940 after the pilot attempted to reverse the tow.^[1][2]

Specifications (R-2)

Data from Sailplane directory and Soaring^[1][2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Wingspan: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)

See also

• List of gliders