M.Hardy. Gliders & Sailplanes of the world

Nelson Hummingbird

  The Hummingbird is a tandem two-seater glider built by the Nelson Aircraft Corporation of Irwin, Pennsylvania, which firm also makes the 45hp Nelson H-63CP four-cylinder horizontally-opposed two-stroke engine that powers it. This is mounted aft of the cockpit and drives a two-blade fixed-pitch pusher propeller; it retracts forward into the fuselage behind the one-piece tear drop cockpit canopy when not in use. The Hummingbird is of all-metal construction with cantilever mid-set wings which have spoilers and air brakes. The landing gear is of the steerable bicycle type.


Span: 54 ft 0 in
Length: 22 ft 0 in
Wing area: 185.0 sqft
Aspect ratio: 15.76
Empty weight: 810 lb
Max weight: 1,150 lb
Cruising speed: 80 mph
Min sinking speed: 3.0 ft/sec
Best glide ratio: 25:1