DG 600 neo Race von Composite RC Gliders

It looks good, and the CFRP work is flawless. The milled wooden parts fit very well into the fuselage. However, the installation position should be specified in the “assembly instructions.” The position of the ballast tube is also left up to the builder. A parts list with descriptions of the supplied parts (e.g., CFRP rods) should also be included. The cutouts for the side elevator servos are too small for the KST servos and must be reworked. The canopy frame also needs to be reworked with a hot-air gun. The canopy is supplied uncut, which requires very time-consuming and delicate work that the manufacturer could certainly perform more easily and precisely. Installing the elevator servo and its linkage turns out to be a surgical task due to the factory-applied adhesive on the rudder blade for the rudder. The builder is also responsible for creating the canopy closure. For my model, I chose a magnetic closure.

The Glaser-Dirks DG-600 is a single-seat high-performance glider with flaps manufactured by DG Flugzeugbau. The aircraft, made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), can be considered the successor to the DG-200 and DG-400 and was offered from the outset with wingspans of 15 and 17 meters. Starting in 1989, the model range was expanded to include a self-launching variant, the DG-600M. Starting in 1991, variants with an 18-meter wingspan were also offered, featuring larger clip-on wings (DG-600/18, DG-600/18M) and winglets.

First impressions upon unboxing: The DG 600 arrives in a sturdy box, well-packaged and protected. The build quality of the components is very good. The fuselage, wings, and horizontal stabilizer are packed in simple protective bags. Unfortunately, the parts list is missing, especially for the small parts included in the package.

They are made of CFRP and feature an excellent surface finish and paint job. The flaps and ailerons are neatly attached and conform to the airfoil profile. A conventional linkage system was chosen for the test model. As with the original, two different versions of wingtips/winglets can be used (available as an optional order). A minor adjustment to the parts is required. Installing the KST mini servos poses no major problems, but the KST servo frames must be used. The included wiring harness is pre-soldered. The connection to the fuselage is made using MPX connectors.

Thanks to the high degree of prefabrication, construction of the DG 600 is progressing quite rapidly, and work is now underway to get it ready for flight. The rudder setup and the center of gravity adjustment—

The dimensions (61 mm) can be found on the manufacturer's website. The CFRP wing connector fits very well and didn't require any modifications. I equipped my DG 600 with a tow hook, since the model is intended for use both for glider towing and for slope flying.

A model’s maiden flight is, of course, always very exciting. For the maiden flight, I chose a tow-up launch. This allows you to reach high altitudes and gives you the opportunity and time to trim the model and test its center of gravity during a few “familiarization laps.” After a brief briefing from the tow pilot, off we go with my DG 600. The model flies briskly but “meekly” and willingly follows the tow plane. At about 350 meters (we’re allowed to do that at this airfield), I disengaged the tow and flew straight ahead at first. The DG’s flight characteristics, with its slender wings, impress more than just the pilot. Only a little elevator trim is needed; otherwise, the DG flies dead straight and at a pleasant pace. The control surfaces respond very well, and the model responds willingly and promptly to all commands. Now I’m testing the “Butterfly” setting at a safe altitude. With the wing flaps fully extended and a two- to three-millimeter elevator input mixed with the rudder, the DG transitions into a descent of approximately 30°. The rate of descent can be controlled well with the elevator, and so my first landing with the DG was quite a sight to behold. This successful maiden flight confirmed the settings specified by the manufacturer. That afternoon, several more towed flights took place, during which the DG 600 demonstrated both its aerobatic capabilities and its excellent thermal performance. It also has a very wide speed range. All test flights were conducted with the straight winglets. “That’s a great plane!!” said a club member appreciatively. During a

We celebrated the wonderful day of flying with my new DG 600 Race with a little “first-flight toast.” Of course, I was very curious to see how the model would perform on the slope. During my flying vacation in Grossarl, the DG 600 also proved its exceptional suitability for slope flying. From thermal flying to fast “slope soaring,” anything is possible with this model. Not least because of its beautiful flight profile against a stunning landscape, the DG is a real “heartwarmer.” During a slightly rough landing, a crack appeared in the canopy. A quick call to Werner Fehn at Composite RC Gliders was all it took, and within a few days, a replacement canopy arrived. Now that’s what I call service!! With other manufacturers, something like this can take up to six months.

The kit is well-crafted and offers excellent value for the price. The components are high quality, and the minor flaws are perfectly acceptable. The flight characteristics are excellent and the flight performance is simply “awesome,” so I highly recommend the DG 600 Race from Composite RC Gliders to every passionate glider pilot! ■

More info at:
https://composite-rc-gliders.com/p/dg-600-neo-race-3-3-m

Photos: Peter Kühweidner,
Manfred Dittmayer