The Slingsby T.59 Kestrel is a British Open class

glider Glider may refer to: Aircraft and transport Aircraft * Glider (aircraft), heavier-than-air aircraft primarily intended for unpowered flight ** Glider (sailplane), a rigid-winged glider aircraft with an undercarriage, used in the sport of glidin ...

which first flew in August 1970. Of fibreglass construction, it features camber-changing flaps, airbrakes, and a retractable main wheel. Originally a licensed-built version of the

Glasflügel 401 The Glasflügel 401 "Kestrel" is a glider that was developed in 1968 for the open class. It has a wingspan of 17 metres. It is named after the kestrel bird. History Between 1968 and 1975 Glasflügel built 129 ''Kestrels''. The British company ...

, the Kestrel was produced in several variants culminating in the T.59H of wing span. The type was successful when used in

gliding competition Some of the pilots in the sport of gliding take part in gliding competitions. These are usually racing competitions, but there are also aerobatic contests and on-line league tables. History of competitions In the early days, the main goal w ...

s and was the first glider to complete a pre-declared task.

Notable competition use

*1970 World Championships - Fourth place, pilot;

George Burton George Burton may refer to: * George Burton (actor) (1898–1955), American silent film actor * George Burton (bishop) (1856–1931), English Roman Catholic Bishop * George Burton (chronologer) (1717–1791), English chronologer * George Burton (cr ...

.Simons 1996, p. 241. *1972 British National Championships - First place, pilot; John Delafield. *1972 World Championships - Eight Kestrels entered, highest competitors placed fourth ( Nick Goodhart) and sixth (Burton). *1975 British National Championships - First place, pilot; George Lee. Eight of the top ten places were taken by Kestrel pilots.

World record use

The 1,000 km out and return pre-declared task world distance record was broken in September 1972 by New Zealander, Dick Georgeson. Covering a distance of in lee wave this was the first time that this pre-declared distance task had been completed.Simons 1996, p. 241.

Variants

;T.59 Kestrel 17 :Initial licensed production version of

, first flown in 1970, five built. ;T.59B :Experimental wing span version, one built. ;T.59C Kestrel 19 :Prototype with carbon fibre wing spar, first flown in May 1971. One aircraft built. ;T.59D/E Kestrel 19 :Production Kestrel 19, T.59D was a designation given by the British Gliding Association, T.59E was the designation given to the same type by the

Civil Aviation Authority A civil aviation authority (CAA) is a national or supranational statutory authority that oversees the regulation of civil aviation, including the maintenance of an aircraft register. Role Due to the inherent dangers in the use of flight vehicles, ...

. Over 90 aircraft built. ;T.59G Kestrel 22 :Wing root extensions fitted to increase span to , tailplane area enlarged by 25%. One aircraft modified in Australia. ;T.59H Kestrel 22 :Re-designed four-piece wing. Two aircraft built.Simons 1996, p. 242

Aircraft on display

* US Southwest Soaring Museum

Specifications (T.59D Kestrel 19)

References

Notes

Bibliography

* Coates, Andrew. ''Jane's World Sailplanes and Motorgliders''. London. Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1978. * Simons, Martin. ''Slingsby Sailplanes'', Shrewsbury, England: Airlife Publishing Ltd. 1996.

External links

British Gliding Association data sheet - Kestrel 22
{{Slingsby aircraft 1970s British sailplanes Glider aircraft Kestrel Aircraft first flown in 1970 Mid-wing aircraft T-tail aircraft