It takes a lot to train a person to the level of a fully-trained combat pilot, but there has to be a starting point. First, there is a lot of classroom-based theoretical knowledge, and then there is practical ground-based training – usually in a Simulator. But eventually, there must be some training in the air without causing a lot of casualties. One way is to conduct dual training with an instructor in the back seat, till the trainee is deemed ready to solo (aka to fly by themselves). Another low-cost way is to put them into a glider.

After WWI, Germany was denied an Air Force, so they began training pilots by nurturing a healthy interest in gliding in state-sponsored aero-clubs. The State sought a basic, but fully-functioning, pilot-friendly flying machine. As a trainee’s glider, it had to be light (@ 100kg), yet robust. To fill the requirement, in 1938, Rehberg, Schneider & Hoffman designed the Schneider DFS 108-14 SG-38 elementary training Schulgleiter (= school glider). Its fuselage was a simple, tapering, 2-dimensional warren-truss beam.

Its simplicity allowed it to be mass-produced, so it was produced in many European countries under various designations. Alternately, the plans could be purchased and the glider built in a home garage, so its designed allowed it to be partially dismantled for storage.

Launching was by being towed by a vehicle or a powered winch rope, or by being accelerated by a thick elastic/bungee cord. It landed on a single, sprung, ventral skid. The pilot sat on a basic exposed seat with only a lap-belt for security (and perhaps a cushion for comfort?). A coaming/gondola was available, though it (naturally) altered the glider’s weight, Centre-of-Gravity (CoG) and flight characteristics to a small degree. This is an important aircraft in the annals of aviation history because it was one of the first mounts of many pilots, including most Luftwaffe pilots and aces.

When it comes to the SG-38, we modellers are well-served, with kits available in all of the popular scales (according to Scalemates). This is the 2020 Special Hobby kit. It comes on a single sprue that frames 12 parts. The glider is composed of 6 parts. Of the others, 4 are for two different coamings, an alternate set of rudder pedals, and an alternate skid. Moulded-on detail is of the finely-raise type. Trailing edges are thicker than is desirable. Unpainted gliders had translucent flying surfaces, so replicating this feature with paint will be potentially problematic. Paint misted onto transparent parts might be a solution.

The instructions come as a small (A5-sized) coloured 6-page booklet, and shows 3 assembly steps and 2 incomplete rigging diagrams, because rigging back to the tailplane is shown on the boxart, but not in the instructions. Rigging this model would be an essential component of this build (in my opinion) because there is so little to it. However, the modeller might choose a thick/non-scaled rigid medium (vs a closer-to-scale thin wire or thread) for the added support it should give to the model.

The initial release had decals for a “1938 Luftwaffe” glider. But, as it is a re-release, the small decal sheet carries markings for 5 different gliders from 4 countries. Other re-releases carry other options. All could have been provided on one sheet because there is little variation of the gliders.

This is a beautifully-produced kit, and it should be a quick, easy build. Unfortunately, the 2D nature of the ‘fuselage’ means that it won’t sit squarely on your shelf. A couple of (after-market?) figures to hold the wingtips would have helped, as would have a civilian/youth pilot. That, after-all, would reflect its real-life deployment.

Just the instructions and internet ‘research’.

Thanks to Special Hobby for the photo.

George Oh

November 2025

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