Slingsby Type 31/ Cadet TX Mk.3
New batch of MK3's
If anyone in the higher echelons of the Air Cadets knew anything about gliding they would now be realising that the T31 did everything it was supposed to do; and all with an enviable safety record.
It is not beyond the wit of man to lay a new batch down incorporating new materials where required.
Get the Scouts onboard and you have a youth development (open to anyone) program back in business.
All that running around and fresh air and hey presto less long term issues for the NHS a win win all round !!!
The Gliding aspect of the Cadets was always far more than just the flying; it was about teamwork,decision making, self development, leadership, and group work without loosing the individual spirit.
Of course there will have to be a cull at the top end because that's where the problem is.
Its not 'drug rehab' we need it's getting youth 'hooked' on real life issues and making their own way in the world.
It is not beyond the wit of man to lay a new batch down incorporating new materials where required.
Get the Scouts onboard and you have a youth development (open to anyone) program back in business.
All that running around and fresh air and hey presto less long term issues for the NHS a win win all round !!!
The Gliding aspect of the Cadets was always far more than just the flying; it was about teamwork,decision making, self development, leadership, and group work without loosing the individual spirit.
Of course there will have to be a cull at the top end because that's where the problem is.
Its not 'drug rehab' we need it's getting youth 'hooked' on real life issues and making their own way in the world.
My ATC Gliding Course was with 613 VGS at RAF Halton between June and August 1961. A total of 8 flights in T21 and 19 dual and 3 solo in T31. Total Flight Time 2hrs 38mins.
Fortunately the weather was good, as 42 days later I was an Officer Cadet at South Cerney.
I also did another Gliding Course ( including soloing in the T31 ), at RAF Syerston in July 1977 when I was a CCF Liaison Officer at HQ air Cadets. This included a hop of about 200yds in a Primary glider.
First time to actually touch the controls was in Varsity WJ903 at RAF Hullavington on 17 August 1959. I last flew in WJ903 at RAF Finningley 10 October 1974 about 18 months before the Varsity was taken out of service.
Fortunately the weather was good, as 42 days later I was an Officer Cadet at South Cerney.
I also did another Gliding Course ( including soloing in the T31 ), at RAF Syerston in July 1977 when I was a CCF Liaison Officer at HQ air Cadets. This included a hop of about 200yds in a Primary glider.
First time to actually touch the controls was in Varsity WJ903 at RAF Hullavington on 17 August 1959. I last flew in WJ903 at RAF Finningley 10 October 1974 about 18 months before the Varsity was taken out of service.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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With modern production techniques it would be great to turn out kits of parts that could be assembled and finished by the cadets at each VGS with appropriate supervision; I imagine the cost of the Kenley fence must have cost the equivalent of several kits..
Thread Starter
Treaders & Pobjoy, you guys are talking way too much sense. What makes me sad is I know just how right you are. I've already had some great feedback from so many, from senior 747 captains and Air Marshals, to veteran test pilots and - well, every aspect of aviation. And they're all like so many of the posts here - XX123 at West Malling/Spitalgate/Syerston etc etc aged 16 - and they all say essentially the same thing;- that kick-started their entire careers.
Although I didn't get to fly gliders with the ATC, the organisation certainly shaped my (and my elder brothers) life. Single parent families and the social stigma that went with them in the 40s and 50s made life particularly hard at times. The ATC provided an out from poverty for us. We both went on to join the RAF, my brother as a pilot and me as an engineer. Between us we served for around 50 years or so.
Thank you 461 Sqn - "Venture Adventure" indeed.
WE992 - I hope you will be adding glass to the historic flight in the near future? assuming the paperwork can be sorted out, of course.
Oh hang on though; just think how easy it was to dope on a patch of fabric to 'hide' an accidental hole.
We had two went in at Halton whilst I was there; the first from an incipient on short final where both occupants walked away and the second was a collision with the caravan where the front seat occupant got a broken leg.
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We seem to moving on to a general and personal history of the T31 so I can add my bit I think. In 1964 or thereabouts the ATC squadron a Meir in Staffordshire was disbanded. Several of the instructors were colleagues of mine at English Electric Stafford and they suggested to EE that they might add gliding to the sports activities funded by the company. This did not get any support from the bean counters, and so they put it about that maybe a private BGA gliding club might be an alternative. Long story short, this is how I got into serious gliding, having had a passenger ride at Great Hucklow back in '57. We raised the money, bought a T31, a second hand winch from the Derby and Lancs, and a Govt surplus Landrover. The airfield at Meir belonged to the Council and had a Robin hangar on it and some very scruffy huts. Off we went with about 30 ab-initios and all the ex ATC instructors . We used the ATC syllabus (why not?) and we were divided into batches of six. I was in batch one and was first member to solo after 30 launches (what do you mean you are not ready? -off you go!). We had about twenty or so people solo in about 6 months. A very strong technical committee was formed (I was made CTO since I was Chief Mechanical Designer LIMD EE Co and had a big office where we could hold meetings) to look after all the maintenance, and as time went on we designed and built our own winch, and acquired a Tutor and an Olympia2B. Nearly all that first batch became instructors eventually, and the club is still operating (I left EE in 1969 for a bigger job and went on to Husbands Bosworth) though not at Meir which is now a housing estate. I flew T31, T21, Capstan, Ka2, Ka7, Bocian, and K13 and much later ASK21. 2000+ trips as instructor. I owe my whole flying career to that T31.
Just a numbered other
First flight in an Auster 5 from Shoreham around Worthing pier and back 1965. First air experience with ATC in a Wessex, RAF Odiham 1966. First touch of the controls in a Chipmunk at White Waltham 1966.
Gliding proficiency with 615 GS at RAF Kenley 1970 first solo in Mk3 XA301 in July.
The ATC gave me a wonderful introduction to RAF life, impressing me to such a degree that I joined the Fleet Air Arm instead!
Last landing at Lasham gliding club in a 737 at the demise of BMI Baby. Happy days all.
Gliding proficiency with 615 GS at RAF Kenley 1970 first solo in Mk3 XA301 in July.
The ATC gave me a wonderful introduction to RAF life, impressing me to such a degree that I joined the Fleet Air Arm instead!
Last landing at Lasham gliding club in a 737 at the demise of BMI Baby. Happy days all.
Thread Starter
Hi All, just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed everyone's reminisces, and also offer sincere thanks for the personal emails and all the 'letters to the Editor' - this feature may yet even generate a bigger postbag to the magazine than the one I wrote last year about flying the Avro 19 from Farnborough to Old Warden! Thanks again, and if any of you enjoyed reading it half as much as I enjoyed writing it then you'll have enjoyed it!
Yes Dave - thanks very much for the thread/article/and lovely pics 
,we must try and visit some of the English Gliding Clubs with vintage gliders sometime this year,although our own club has a fair few anyway.
rgds LR
,we must try and visit some of the English Gliding Clubs with vintage gliders sometime this year,although our own club has a fair few anyway.rgds LR
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Just noticed that Special Hobby are bringing out a 1/48 kit of the EoN Eton/SG-38 - if any of you are modellers!
When I started as a staff cadet at 613 in '64, there were photo's of 'Mk 3s' with a yellow painted upper surface to the wing.
I was told this was to denote they had originally been Mk 2s ie tandem seat but with a parallel chord wing and had been modified by the substitution of the later Mk 3 wing with its tapered outer sections.
By the time I paid my first visit to Halton in late 1962, the colour scheme for all Air Cadet gliders had been standardised as overall silver dope with stick on dayglo panels, even the yellow trainer band round the rear fuselage had gone.
I was told this was to denote they had originally been Mk 2s ie tandem seat but with a parallel chord wing and had been modified by the substitution of the later Mk 3 wing with its tapered outer sections.
By the time I paid my first visit to Halton in late 1962, the colour scheme for all Air Cadet gliders had been standardised as overall silver dope with stick on dayglo panels, even the yellow trainer band round the rear fuselage had gone.