Slingsby T.21
The Slingsby T.21 Sedbergh is a training glider of the British manufacturer Slingsby Sailplanes Ltd. , Which was developed in the late 1940s.
History
After the end of the war was the British Air Training Command is a need for two-seat training aircraft. The same was true of the numerous English flyer clubs. Slingsby developed two training aircraft, in one version were student pilot and flight instructor side by side ( T.21 ), in another variant, the seats were arranged in a row ( T.31 ). According to the manufacturer a total of 92 T.21 were produced. The variant T.21B became known Sedbergh, after the eponymous town in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The aircraft was on training at the Air Cadets, the Army Cadets and Sea Cadets ( Royal Navy ) is used as basic training pattern.
It was in the 1950s and 60s also some civilian versions that flew in the British gliding clubs. But even in the overseas colonies of the Slingsby T.21B was used. Here are especially Kenya, Southern Rhodesia and India to call but also from Cyprus is a station known.
After the British military were retired and replaced by the T.21B trainer aircraft Grob G 103, took over civilian clubs and private individuals these vintage gliders. So do some came to Germany, but flying under British registry because the Slingsby T.21B was formerly not allowed in Germany and thus there is no German type certification. According to European rules to EASA Sedbergh belongs to the Annex II aircraft and is therefore subject only to the national rules.
The open two-seater is often assumed to be nostalgic sightseeing flights and often requested for flight days. Owner of the T.21B are usually organized in VGC Vintage Glider Club.
Construction
The T.21B is designed as a two-seat high-wing and has two seats side by side. The einholmige wing is constructed in two parts, has spoilers, has a torsion box nose and is braced with one stick against the hull. Behind the spar the wing is covered with fabric.
The hull is built in front of frames and belts with supporting Sperrholzbeplankung. From the main bulkhead of the aft fuselage is covered with fabric. Located in front of the fuselage nose, a tube that can accommodate a ballast weight in the case of single-seat air operations.