John,

Lovely photo of the Kite 1.
You Kite 1 is owned by Bob Boyd BGA 251? and is still airworthy. It has been fitted with a wheel. The other Kites just have a skid.
My dad also flew a Grunau at Bicester in the late 60s.

Dave

After the attack on Fort Eben-Emael Churchill ordered an airbourne force. This was put together at Ringway after a while the found that gliders and parachutes didnt mix. The main type of glider used was the Slingsby Kirby Kite 1, The Gilder Training Squdron moved to ( RAF THAME) Haddenhan Bucks. Up until recently i was part owner of a Kite used by the army. We painted it up for the 50 anniversary of Ringway. The we put back to airworthy condition in its Haddenham markings. We sold it to a group of insturtors at The Upward Bound Trust at Haddenham.

Dave

Did it used to be at Swanton Morley? If so I’ve flown a unique type – woo hoo!

Moggy

Moggy,
As far a I know the last Dagling was with the ATC at Squires Gate owned the late Ivor Stretch in the mid 70s. It was then obtained by Mike Russell for the Russavia Collection and kepted at Henham. Until the early 80s when it moved to my fathers workshop for restoration. where it still is, but still hasn’t been finished due to other vintage glider restorations taking priority. The Dagling is now owned by my father. The only other Dagling surviving part is the Gate or A frame that is owned by Nigel Ponsford.

My father oversaw the restoration of the EON 7 (SG38) G-ALPS at Shuttleworth. Who ask for it to be put in pre war German markings.

Dave

Dave
I went to an airshow at Dunstable sometime in the 60’s possibly 67. The only aircraft I remember were the Vickers Gunbus replica, a J3 Cub, several Tiger Moths, a Druin Turbulant with a enclosed canopy and the Pawnee. The air race seemed to be arranged so that a turning point was the other side of the car park, and during the race a Tiger clipped the roof of a car with a endercarriage wheel. The Gunbus had engine trouble and a glider tug landed with its rope narrowly missing some spectators.
A while ago someone posted some pictures taken at the time but they were quickly taken off because of copyright issues.
Richard

The Turbulent was G-APWP built by Colin Rogers. If you went alont the foot path between Tring road and the bottom of the Downs you where always in danger of being hit by a tow rope in those days. The Gunbus at one airshow damaged its undercarrige,when some body stood up on the foot path just as the aircraft was on approch and had to lift its wing very quickly made a heavy landing! Also one year the Gunbus had a dog fight with the fokker E111. A hot air balloon made of cellotape and polythene took off and later hit power cables cutting the power of to a village.

As I said Air Shows where more fun in the past.

Dave