Kirby T.8 Cadet Tutor T.X. Mk.2 Archival Fine Art Print

Printed on fine art photo rag 13” x 19” paper perfect for framing. Prints are shipped rolled in a tube.

HISTORY
The T.8 Kirby Tutor came about at the request of the Midland Gliding Club which wanted a higher performance aircraft to progress to after the T.7 Kirby Kadet. John Sproule adapted the wings from a BAC VII to fit onto the T.7 Kirby Kadet fuselage. The higher-aspect ratio wings gave a measurable increase in performance for minimum cost. Gliding clubs could also elect to buy the wings alone and fit them to Kirby Kadet fuselages as required.

The T.8 Kirby Tutor was immediately popular but only seven complete aircraft were sold before the outbreak of World War II, as well as kits of parts, spares and sets of wings for retrofit to Kadets. The T.8 Tutor was also produced for use by the Air Training Corps, being re-named Slingsby T.8 Cadet TX Mk.2. Sixty-two Cadet TX Mk.2s were ordered from 1944 with simple windscreens and landing wheels. Post-war the absence of spoilers was rectified by modification which was applied to most surviving aircraft.

Special thanks to the Soaring Society of America, the Vintage Sailplane Association, and the National Air & Space Museum.

SPECIFICATIONS AND PERFORMANCE
Span: 13.24 m./ 43.43 ft
Aspect ratio: 11
Airfoil: Gottingen 426
Empty weight: 160 kg. / 351 lb.
Payload: 99 kg. / 218 lb.
Gross weight: 259 kg. / 569 lb.
Structure: Wood frame fuselage, plywood covered; fabric covered on wood tail group and two-spar, two-strut wood wing.
Country of origin: Great Britain
Designer: John S. Sproule
No. of seats: 1
No. built: about 69