Walter603
I was a member of the RAF Thornhill (Rhodesia) gliding club back in 1952-53. We had a “Primary,” probably the most elementary form of flying machine then still flying; I’m sure the Wright Brothers would feel very much at home with it.
We did training “the hard way” the first stage being the “Primary” to start with on the ground with the speed kept too low for it to become airborne, the glider just “slid” across the airfield and one kept the wings level and followed the tow truck using the rudder, but as one became familiar with the controls speed was increased and soon one was flying across the airfield, in full control, first at only a few feet, then at greater heights as one gained experience, and learnt to control the glider in turns. If all went well promotion to Thornhill’s “Tutor” followed.
The Thornhill Gliding club had a joining fee of £1, a monthly subscription of 10/- (50p), and a further charge of 1/- (5p) for each launch.
This is me in my first keeping the wings level flight, 6ft above the ground.
