Category: ACHF Gliders

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 […]

The Slingsby T8 Kirby Tutor was initially developed for civilian use by adopting higher-aspect ratio wings, which gave a noticeable increase in soaring performance. Gliding clubs could also elect to buy the wings alone and fit them to Kirby Kadet fuselages as required and they were in common use as first solo gliders through the […]

The Slingsby T7 Kirby Cadet was designed and built by Slingsby and first flew in 1935 and was produced through the 2nd World War until 1954. It saw service with the Royal Air Force for use by the Air Cadets as the Cadet TX Mk.1 as well as civilian use. Slingsby eventually went to on […]

In 1948, Slingsby Sailplanes developed the 1932 Grunau Baby, which it had built under licence before World War II, into the Slingsby T.30 Prefect, an intermediate-level semi-aerobatic glider suitable for civil or military use. The Prefect was sold both on the civil market, including the RAF Gliding and Soaring Association (RAFGSA), and to the Air […]

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 […]

The Sedbergh TX Mk.1 is more affectionally known as “The Barge” (many civilian versions had individual names such as “Daisy”, “Buttercup” or even “Lady Godiva”). The T21B (its civilian designation) must rank as one of the best and most loved of Slingsby’s gliders. This two seat, side by side trainer is robust and delightful to […]

The development of the Cadet TX Mk.1 to TX M.2 led to a surplus of Cadet TX Mk1 wings, Slingsby designed a primary glider fuselage to fit these and designated it the Slingsby Grasshopper TX Mk.1 it entered Air Cadet service and was generally used by the CCF sections at Public Schools. Originally designed to […]