Slingsby T-53B (oz6731)

About this Plan

Slingsby T-53B. Scale model sailplane. By Bob Andris, plan #497, March 1973 RCM. Scale is 1/6.

Quote: "This model of the Slingsby T-53B is the result of an extensive search for a full size sailplane that, in model form, would meet this criteria:

1. In one sixth scale, have a wingspan of 9 to 10 feet with generous wing area.
2. Must have good performance potential with little or no changes in the wing/stab surfaces.
3. Must not be overly complicated with compound curves and fairly simple to build for that reason.
4. Must have charisma.

Now, how does the T-53B stack up? The scale wingspan works out to 111 inches, the aspect ratio is a shade under 16:1, the fuselage can be constructed using flat balsa for sides, top and bottom, and the constant chord wing permits all ribs to be cut out at one time using the sheet balsa stacking method. Further, the plywood root ribs can be used as 'master' ribs and then used in the construction. Finally, with insignia red wing and stab tips, a red nose and fuselage stripe, coupled with the British roundel and 'AIR CADETS' in huge black lettering, how could it miss being a stand-out anywhere?

The full size T-538 is a minor modification of the Slingsby T-53 two seat tandem trainer, and is used by the RAF for Air Cadet (pilot) training. The necessity to carry two people requires a lower-than-normal aspect ratio so worthwhile for a model; while the role it plays in training necessitates a gaudy finish and markings. The real model (one is based at Elsinore in Southern California) has a wingspan of 55.5 ft with an area of 194 sq ft. The structure is all metal with a weight of 700 lbs empty. At the gross weight of 1160 lbs (add radio, oxygen, parachute, and passengers) the wing loading is calculated at 6 lbs per square foot.

When the Slingsby factory in Great Britain decided to get away from wooden construction used in the past, they developed two T-53 proto-types conducting extensive wind tunnel testing over a three year period. Two fixed tandem wheels and a very obvious swept forward wing gives a rather unusual, but pleasing, appearance. Performance is nominal with a calculated L/D max of 29:1 at 55 mph using a proven Wortman FCC 61-184 airfoil.

The T-53B was in quantity production for the RAF when, in November 1968, the entire Slingsby factory was destroyed by fire, the company later going into bankruptcy..."

Update 06/03/2017: added article, thanks to RFJ.

Update 13/04/2020: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy, thank to HarryKirkland.

Quote: "Steve, Mary, Please find attached a plan for the Slingsby T-53B (oz6732). The plan you have has a strip missing down the center of it. I assume it was enlarged from the miniature included in the article. The plan I have attached is a scan of the actual plan I purchased from RCM in the 1970s. Hope you can use it. Thanks for the site it is a great resource, the best of its type."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

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