The Standard Cirrus, from Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Kirchheim, Germany, was introduced in 1969. It was the creation of Klaus Holighaus, one of the most successful and respected sailplane designers. Sadly, he died in a soaring accident in 1994, leaving the management of Schempp-Hirth in the capable hands of his family, with his son Tilo in charge. This fine company still offers parts and technical support for its fleet of Standard Cirrus gliders.

Perhaps the best source for historical information on Standard Cirrus gliders is the book Segelflugzeuge: Vom Wolf zum Discus by Peter F. Selinger (Motorbuch Verlag Stuttgart, German text).

701 Standard Cirrus gliders were built in Germany from 1969 to 1977. Most were produced by Schempp-Hirth, and 176 were built under license by Burkhart Grob GmbH, Mindelheim, Germany from 1972 to 1975. Modifications were introduced into the production cycle, indicated by suffixes on the name (see table below). The modifications included larger wing fairings, larger airbrakes, longer nose, modified tailplane attachment fitting, etc. One sequence of serial numbers identifies the ships from Schempp-Hirth and Grob. The suffix "G" on the serial number identifies the Grob ships. This enterprise introduced Grob to the manufacture of gliders. Klaus Holighaus once commented that the Grob ships were "very clean built."

Evidently, some variants of the Standard Cirrus were built by Schempp-Hirth as late as 1983; e.g., #702.

After German production ceased, Serbian company Vazduhoplovno Tehnicki Centar (VTC), later Jastreb Fabrika Aviona Jedrilica, built a series of Cirrus 75 and Cirrus 75B models.

Also, between 1977 and 1978, the French company Lanaverre Industrie built 35 ships designated CS 11/75 L St. and CS 11/78 L St.. These ships were serial numbered beginning with one, overlapping the German serial numbers.

In Selinger's book, Schempp-Hirth serial number 16 is designated "1981 on ged. HL," and serial number 256 is designated "later Cirrus 81." Lanaverre serial number 35, is designated "CS 11/75 L St., also Cirrus 81?" with the note "as Cirrus 81 after Air, s. Adour with SCG 256." If you can throw light on these ships, please notify to the webmaster.

The following breakdown of production variants was taken from Selinger's book, Schempp-Hirth airworthiness directives and Richard Cawsey's production lists of gliders. This information may contain some errors. Please notify to the webmaster if you can supply corrections.

(1) Approximate serial number of change