Slingsby Cadet TX Mk.3 – XA310

The T31 was originally developed by Slingsby as a cheaper alternative to the T21, and designated the Cadet TX Mk.3 became the backbone of the Air Cadet wooden glider fleet. Not as popular as the T21 in civilian clubs (only about a dozen were in regular use in UK clubs), the T31 was not well suited to soaring – although soaring flights are possible in the right hands. However it was perfect for “bashing the circuit” and trained many thousands of Air Cadets to solo standard.

The exact number of these aircraft built is difficult to determine, known variously as T31, Cadet Mk3, TX3 or Tandem Tutor, the RAF took delivery of 126 TX Mk.3s in the 1950’s. Total production by Slingsby was 187 with aircraft going to countries as diverse as Pakistan, Lebanon and various countries in Africa. Another 27 were built from kits including small production runs in Argentina and Israel and 30-40 more built up from spares & crashed parts in UK and worldwide.

XA310 is particularly special as it was delivered to 87 Gliding School Weston Super Mare on 18 March 1953. 87 GS became 621 Volunteer Gliding School where XA310 spent its entire service career so it is particularly fitting to be able to operate this airframe as part of the 621 VGS Historic Flight. Now owned by A P Stacey, XA310 is on long term loan and has been operated with the Flight since 2011.