Wing span : 39 ft / 11.89 m
Length : 20.67 ft / 6.30 m
Max weight : 550 lb / 250 kg
Max speed : 70 kn / 130 km/h
Engine : n/a
Click image to enlarge
Slingsby T.38 / GRASSHOPPER TX.1 WZ798
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click image to enlarge
|
The design of the Grasshopper can be traced back to the German DFS SG.38 single seat primary glider which was built in large numbers in the early thirties for the initial training of pilots. The SG.38 was intended for bungee launches, its design being as simple as possible to permit rapid assembly after transportation. Many well known glider and powered aircraft pilots of the thirties and forties made their initial flights in similar style basic gliders. In this country plans of the SG.38 were available at the cost of 30/- (£1.50) to enable the type to be built at home by glider enthusiasts, and a number were produced commercially by RFD Ltd during 1930/31, becoming known as Daglings. Demand for this type of primary glider grew, and it was put back into production in 1934 by Slingsbys as the T.2 Primary. These were used by civilian gliding clubs, but on the outbreak of war most were taken over by the RAF for use by Air Training Corps squadrons. During the wartime period many squadrons acquired various pieces ofPrimarys which they than made into flyable aircraft - usually unofficially.
During the war Slingsbys undertook production of the Cadet series of gliders for use by the ATC squadrons, and these continued to be made until the late fifties. These were capable of proper flight and so able to provide better experience to the youngsters. This was the era of the Cold War, and the RAF was keen to promote airmindedness, and decided to increase its help to ATC and CCF squadrons around the country. In 1951 it ordered 65 of an improved version of the Primary, known as the Grasshopper, which married the wings of the Cadet to the fuselage of the Primary. Production continued during the fifties, with a further 40 being delivered to the RAF. Combined Cadet Forces were usually based at large schools, and were flown by cadets by means of bungee launches from the school playing field. The Grasshoppers were intended to provide experience and feel of flying controls, as only straight and level flight was officially attainable at a height of about 3 metres. Alternatively the Grasshopper could be suspended from a tripod to 'fly' free in the prevailing wind without advancing from the spot. However it would appear that more adventurous flights were sometimes undertaken with resultant heavy landings requiring repairs by the RAF who luckily didn't ask too many awkward questions. Schools in the local area who were issued with Grasshoppers included Bournemouth School and Canford School. With advances in technology the need for basic glider training had disappeared by the late eighties, as cadets were now able to fly flight simulators on PC's. Also the RAF were unwilling to pay maintenance and repair costs on the old machines.
WZ798 was one of the original Grasshoppers produced by Slingsbys, being issued to the RAF in 1953. It was delivered by road to Bournemouth School for use by their CCF, remaining in active use until 1994. The RAF had no further use for it, and so it was purchased by the School who found that 'red tape' prevented its further use. It was stored in one of the School's sheds, but was vandalised during 2000. To prevent further damage it was presented to the Museum by the CCF's Officer Commanding in June 2001, and following restoration work now flies from the roof of the Museum.