Slingsby Sky HB-561 Defford Built 1952

[Uuoret]

I owned this glider, sometimes in a syndicate, and flew it from Aboyne in Royal Deeside.

This particular aircraft was originally owned by Hans Nietlispatch in Switzerland, who flew it in a straight line from his local airfield to Avignon in France, crossing the Alps in 1954.

It was (and I believe still is) the longest straight line distance by a Swiss glider.

It would soar on a fart, but penetration was awful. I had several flights of over 5 hours in her.

18m/60ft wingspan - it was horrendous in the rolling plane, taking both hands to hold it in a thermal. Loved it though!!!

[acw367]

Very nice. Not bad to be part of that syndicate. I flew many Slingsby vintages in the mid-90s owned by others with the RAFGSA including Barge, Swallow, Capstan and Grasshopper. Gave it up 20 years ago, but that looks a sweet ride.

Cheers ACW367