Slingsby T.38 Grasshopper TX.Mk.1 - WZ753

The Grasshopper is a single-seat primary training glider designed for use by the Air Training Corps and RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force. The fuselage is a modified version of the German S.G.38, to which were fitted the wings and tail unit from redundant Slingsby Cadet Mk.1 gliders.

Production of the Grasshopper commenced in 1952 and they were mostly issued to CCF(RAF) contingents who used them for primary glider training on their school playing fields. Two training modes were used. First, the glider was mounted on a static training stand, this consisted of a universal joint fitted to a tripod, the glider could then be "flown" by the cadet under training.

When the student had mastered the effects of the controls in this manner he was allowed to progress to the bungee launch, a long length of bungee was attached to the towing hook on the front of the glider, two parties of cadets then stretched the free ends of the bungee across the playing field, and, when the correct tension was obtained the glider was released. A height of 20-30 feet could be achieved on a launch of this sort.

The example on display was declared surplus by the Ministry of Defence in 1988 and purchased by the Museum.

The Southampton Hall of Aviation (Solent Sky) relies on visitor attendance and donations to keep the museum open. In this modern day rising costs are making this harder to achieve. Please help us keep the doors open by donating to our charity. Every penny helps, simply use the Paypal link to donate via your credit card, you do not need to have a Paypal account to do this. Thank you.