XE799
XE799 is now under new management, and we are shortly to embark on her restoration to flying condition.
It was evidently the T31 in which Group Captain Johnnie Johnson went solo in a glider, though there is some confusion over the date.
The 644 VGS web site states:
"In 1948 a new Gliding School, No 44, was formed at Cottesmore in Rutland where the Station Commander, Group Captain JE Johnson DSO DFC (later Air Vice Marshall Johnson CB CBE) became a frequent visitor to the School making his first solo in a Cadet Mk3 XE799 on July 22 1953"
Unfortunately XE799 was not delivered to te RAF until 11.1.1954, so something is wrong, especially as Johnson did not become a Group Captain until 1.1.55, and became Officer Commanding, RAF Cottesmore on 28 Oct 1957.
The aircraft was also, retained at Syerston as 8943M as a spares airframe for the example now on display at Hendon XA302.
I would be most interested if anybody has any recollections, or photographs or dates of the JJ solo, or any recollections of this particular glider.
What we know so far.
XE799 Slingsby T.31B Cadet TX.3 (912)
11.1.54 Delivered to RAF (reportedly flown by Group Captain J E Johnson DSO DFC at Cottesmore on 22.7.53)
44 Gliding School, Cottesmore
1954 29 Gliding School, Spitalgate
1955 644 Gliding School, Spitalgate
1974 Air Cadet Central Gliding School (Detachment), Swanton Morley
1975 Air Cadet Central Gliding School, Syerston, tail code "R"
1984 Store, Syerston
1987 ACCGS, preserved at Syerston as 8943M
1996 RAFGSA, Syerston
2004 Boulton Paul Association, Wolverhampton
Currently she is in totally original condition, having not been flown since leaving Syerston. We intend a very sympathetic restoration indeed. More along the lines of preservation for the long term.
Guy