Slingsby T.21

what is it?

The Slingsby T.21 is an open-cockpit, side-by-side two-seat glider, built by Slingsby Sailplanes Ltd and first flown in 1944. It was widely used by the Royal Air Force, Sri Lanka Air Force and by civilian gliding clubs.

base stats

• size 475 kgmax take-off weight
• built 226made in total

Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).

fun facts

• 🎂First flew 82 years ago, in 1944.
• 🚗Wingspan of 16.5 m: about 4 cars parked nose to tail.

no engine: No engine: it glides on rising air.

spec sheet

first flight

1944

number built

226

role

training glider

origin

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

makers

Slingsby Aviation

engines

none (glider)

crew

2

length

8.2 m

wingspan

16.5 m

max take-off weight

475 kg

top speed

—

range

—

Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.