Slingsby T.18 Hengist

G-AFGE used at Farnborough for glider towing experiments. The log books show that only the prop was removed, and that the throttle linkage was removed to be replaced by the release mechanism. It was towed via a Y shaped harness from the main spar – you can still see where the leading edge was repaired afterwards.

I have on a list that BA Swallow’s G-AEHL /BK895. G-AFGC/BK893 and G-AFGD/BK897 where used at RAF Thame (Haddenham)
15 Slingsby Kirby Kite 1’s where used. I have a few photo’s of BGA400 and BGA258 taken over the last few years on Facebook ‘Kirby Kite1’ also a few on the Vintage glider Club wall.

Dave

Santiago,

The list of gliders I gave you came from “The Wooden Sword” just so you know. If I’d know you needed more pictures I would of dug through the Lawrence Wright box when I was there on Friday with Aeronut 🙂

With reference to the Swallows, digging around I’ve found that five were impressed and that one that was definitely used as a glider was G-AFGD/BK897.

I believe that the Hengist was to be towed behind a glider tug and parachutist would jump from it.

The Hengist along with the Hotspur and Horsa were designed from the outset to be able to drop paratroops and in the case of the Hengist and Horsa their supply containers as well. When all three designs were specified the UK didn’t have much of a clue on how to empoly the Airborne Forces other than the fact that Winston Churchill insisted they should exist.
Here are two photographs that show the propellorless Swallows the tow release was attached to the drive shaft of the pobjoy engine in place of the propellor.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]215660[/ATTACH]
Propellorless BS Swallow in the background at Haddenham
[ATTACH=CONFIG]215661[/ATTACH]
Derigged Kite with 2 Swallows to the rear in the Hangar at Ringway
Both photographs are from the Lawrence Wright collection held by the Museum of Army Flying. Middle Wallop

I have just looked up in the book ‘The Wooden Sword’ The BA Swallows only had there propellers removed for use as gliders.

Dave

Beautiful models. Thanks for sharing.

Santiago,
If you can get the book ‘The Wooden Sword’ by Lawrence Wright there are a few photo’s of Kite’s and a photo of the BA Swallow in the background, I though they only removed the propeller?. The only photo of the Rohnbussard I have seen it was painted in cream with aluminium nose cone. There are photo’s of Slingsby Kirby Kite’s at Middle Wallop Museum, Lawrence Wright collection. Thought not as many as when I first went to look at them. When we restored our first Kirby Kite which fly’s at Haddenham (RAF Thame). Middle wallop also have a Kite in the Museum but this was never used by the military, but it painted in camouflage.

Dave

Hi guys

Many thanks for your comments

Hi Dave, our idea is not only build the troop glider but also the smaller one used at the begining like these ones

* BA Swallow with engine removed.
* Gopping Go 3 Minimoa (was painted camouflage at the CLE)
* Schleicher Rohnbussard.
* Slingsby Kirby Kite.

The problem is that there is not too much information and even less photos showing them.

If any of you have photos I will really appreciate your assistance. We only have a couple of them and the Slingsby book which is excelent.

Kind regards
Santiago

Nice models. I believe that the Hengist was to be towed behind a glider tug and parachutist would jump from it. The only glider model I have is an unbuilt Slingsby Kirby Kite, which the military use 15 off before the Hotspur was ready.

Dave

Agree with that

Santiago, your dad is obviously a talented and dedicated man – these are super models !