Slingsby Swallow TX Mk.1 – XS651

Designed as a first solo single-seater the Swallow T45 flew for the first time on 11 October 1957  and remained in production for 11 years. About 115-120 Swallows were completed (the uncertainty is due to the number of kits produced for self-build). The Air Cadets used 5 Swallows, with a further 9 in use by the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association (RAFGSA).

Intended to replace earlier open-cockpit single seat gliders such as the T8 Tutor, the Swallow had a 13.2 Metre wingspan. Initially built with minimal “washout” the wing was later modified to improve stall/spin characteristics, albeit at the expense of the achieved performance. Inspired partly by the Schweizer SGS 1-26 the Slingsby Swallow benefited from the “luxury” of a closed canopy, but retained the combined wheel and skid landing gear of earlier types.

The short wingspan & very powerful elevator gave good manoeuvrability but meant the handling was markedly different from the T21/T31 trainers commonly in use at the time. This didn’t stop many civilian clubs from sending pupils for their first “solo” in the club Swallow – possibly more to protect the precious club two-seater than from a well thought-through training path!

Although the Swallow was very popular with UK gliding clubs, unfortunately for Slingsby, Schleicher’s Ka8 design had its first flight only a year later. The Ka8 proved to be much more suited to the role and went on to sell over 1,100 of the type to civilian clubs worldwide.

Originally a civilian glider (as genuine ex-ATC ones are rare) “XS651” has been repainted in Air Cadet colours to represent an original ATC Swallow, last seen languishing as a wreck in a hangar at Kingsfield airport in Cyprus. The aircraft is owned by Al Stacey and is on long term loan. It is currently off-line as the fabric wing cover requires renewal, but we hope to see it back soon….