Gliders

Instead of aeroplanes I am showing something sporty....

Gliding is a popular form of sport and recognized national pastimes in some countries, As with an aeroplane, it requires a knowledge of the essential controls—ailerons, elevator and rudder—and familiaritywith the behaviour of air currents. Gliders, also known as sailplanes, can be made to rise on up-currents over a hill, on warm air forced up by a cold front, or spiral-wise in a ‘thermal’ or bubble of warm air. Sometimes vertically-rising currents are found within cumulo-nimbus cloud. Whatever the source of soaring flight, ‘sailing in the wind’ is an exhilarating pastime.

Lilienthal, Chanute and the Wright brothers were the true pioneers of gliding. The Wrights made a record glider flightof ten minutes’ duration in 1911 which was unbeaten for many years, and then the Austrians, Germans and Swiss took the lead in the construction and development of gliders.

Bulgaria issued 3 stamps in 1956 for the 30th anniversary of its gliding club with different views of gliders being launched and in flight.

Poland issued stamps for the International Glider Championships in Leszno in 1954:

The ninth International Gliding championships were held in Argentina which issued these two stamps

The 11th International Gliding Championships were again held in Leszno, Poland for which a set of 6 stamps was issued.

Finland issued this stamp when it hosted the 15th International Gliding Championships at Rayskala in 1976.

Russia has issued quite a few stamps depicting gliders.