Slingsby Prefect TX Mk.1 – WE992

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 Cadets who took delivery of 15 of the type, known as the Prefect TX.Mk.1 . In total 46 Prefects were built by Slingsby, with sales in Belgium, the Netherlands, Egypt, Israel and New Zealand, In addition, Bedek Aircraft Ltd built about seven aircraft under licence in Israel.

WE992 is in Air Cadet colours, owned by Al Stacey and is on long term loan and has been operated with the Flight since 2011. She has the earlier DFS-Type airbrakes – later models changed to “Schempp-Hirth” style brakes.

Based on the Grunau Baby design this was a common early solo glider in UK gliding clubs & the Air Training Corps. It offers better soaring performance than the T7/T8 Kirby Kadet (Tutor) & many civilian pilots in the 1950’s will have done their “Silver C” badge on this type.