Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co
ASW 12
The ASW 12 is a single‑seat, Standard‑Class glider produced by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. in the early 1960s. Designed by Rudolf Kaiser and named for his initials (ASW), the aircraft first flew in 1965 and entered series production in 1966. It was intended to replace the successful ASW 8 with improved performance and handling, and it quickly became one of the most competitive sailplanes of its era. The ASW 12 featured a wooden‑core fuselage covered in glass‑fiber, a high‑aspect‑ratio 15‑meter wing with a semi‑tapered planform, and a sophisticated laminar‑flow airfoil that achieved glide ratios above 40:1. Its trailing‑edge airbrake system and a stick‑fixed undercarriage contributed to a clean aerodynamic profile. The glider’s cockpit was ergonomically shaped, offering excellent visibility for cross‑country soaring and competition use. Throughout the 1970s the ASW 12 set numerous national and world records, demonstrating the effectiveness of its mixed‑construction techniques. Its success helped cement Alexander Schleicher’s reputation as a leading sailplane manufacturer and paved the way for later high‑performance models such as the ASW 15 and ASW 19. Even today, the ASW 12 is prized by vintage glider clubs for its graceful handling and remains a benchmark in the evolution of composite sailplane design.
