It’s been a very hot and exceptionally dry Spring and early to mid-Summer so far. Both the 30 June and 1 July Lasham hit just over 32C, which is probably a record. I’m reminded of the Cole Porter musical “Kiss Me Kate” and the famous song “Too Darn Hot!”. It’s a reasonable bet we’re going to get a hosepipe ban this summer. Won’t worry the GHC gliders but should a ban come into place in the next 10 days then there’s a group of pilots who won’ t be at all happy! – that’s those competing in the Lasham Regionals which begins on the 12th July. However, they should be OK as only just over a week and half to go as I write this.
The GHC Flying Week
Saturday 17 May to Friday 23 May
The last few years we’ve done fairly well to very well weather-wise holding our Flying Week in May. This year was exceptional! We flew on every single day, albeit on the worst day, the Wednesday, it was just the Eon Eton primary that flew. Summary below.
· GHC gliders that flew were Bocian, Skylark 4, Mu13, Ka3, TG3, Sky. Also Matt Cook’s Oly 2 (BRL) which he allows GHC members to fly. The Eon Eton had 9 auto launches on the Wednesday.
· Excluding the Eton the GHC gliders, including BRL, had 80 launches totalling just under 47 hours.
· Many of the Lasham based privately owned vintage gliders also flew of course. As to visitors we had Jed and Suzy Edyvean’s Harbinger, Graham Saw’s Petrel, and Robin Willgoss’s Kite 2.
Flyable GHC gliders in 2025
Currently the available gliders with ARCs/CofAs are:
Bocian (two seater), TG3 (two-seater), Mu13, Ka3, EoN Eton Primary, Phoebus, Sky “Gertie”, Skylark 4 (prototype). So 2 two seaters and 6 single seaters. Our insurance stipulates that at any one time only 1 two seater and 4 single seaters may be airborne at the same time.
Workshop
Pretty active as always, but not surprisingly as we reach the height of summer CofA/ARC work, especially for PO gliders, has slackened off. Current GHC jobs ongoing are:
a.) The Falke G-AYZW. Getting close to being rigged and the engine run now we have the refurbished magneto. Richard Moyse is running the project. The end goal is to sell it as our Articles don’t really support the GHC having powered aircraft. However, a way to go yet in the quest of getting the CAA to issue a licence. We do though have potential buyers, and fear not it will definitely NOT have residence in the GHC hangars!
b.) K8 G-CHRJ. Recently donated to us from deepest Devon and we’ve re-registered it as a GHC glider with the CAA. Needs a very significant amount of work to get it a new ARC but we’re optimistic it’s achievable. Currently the fuselage has been stripped of fabric and the metal framework renovated where necessary, Ray Whittaker doing a lot of the work. Assuming we do get the glider airworthy currently not sure whether we sell it or keep it.
c.) The Laister Kaufmann TG4. Our second Yankee “warbird” two seater. However, whilst being built in 1942 this one never flew as a training glider for the USAAF, unlike our Schweizer TG3. The TG4 spent all of the war stored in a crate. We’ve had a very good look at it with a view to getting it flying again. Wow what a sight that would be the TG3 and TG4 thermalling together! However, it’s not to be as the metal structure of the fuselage is just too badly damaged by rust. So it’s being restored to be an exhibition piece only and quite a few modifications will have to be made.
The plan is to have a number of cut-aways in the fuselage and wings so those viewing it can see inside the structure. Andy Woolley is leading the project.
d.) The Spalinger S21h. We “think” we’ve discovered the cause of the completely ineffective rudder. Hopefully this has now been fixed in the workshop. The next test flight will check this out and fingers crossed show that the handling characteristics have considerably if not dramatically improved. This has to happen for the BGA to issue a full CofA, otherwise it will remain as a “Permit to Fly” only, which means just a very few named pilots can fly her.
Second hangar extension
Gary Pullen and assistants have removed an enormous amount of earth. An estimated two thirds done so far but the work has temporarily stopped as the earth is rock solid thanks to the heat and no rain.
With the earth removal completed there’s drainage work to be done, and then the expectation is things come to a temporary halt. That’s because whilst the GHC has enough money to pay for the estimated cost of a completed extension we’ll be breaking our rule that we always look to maintain a minimum cash balance of £50k as cover for unexpected events. Right now, we’re about £20k short.
Membership
Under the leadership of our membership secretary, Graham Garnett, very recently the paid-up membership hit 400 for the first time
Visits
Going pretty well under the stewardship of Roger Marson. Outside of the “Just turn up” Sunday 14:00 tours we’re seeing 4-5 organised tours per month. Car clubs, flying-in groups, U3A seniors, scouts/cubs predominate, and they happen both weekdays and weekends. Note if anyone asks you about getting an “organised” visit arranged tell them to contact visits@glidingheritage.co.uk which for this purpose is far preferable to enquiry@glidingheritage.org.uk, or go on our website where you can make an enquiry Tours | The Gliding Heritage Centre
Looking ahead we’ve got 3 days of visits coming in July and August from international students organised by Investin. The first date is Wednesday 9th July. An estimated 120/130 students per visit! They spend the day at Lasham their time split between the GHC and 2 Excel Engineering.
New gliders
· The Torva Sprite. As I write this, Tues 1 July, Gary Pullen is bringing it back from a farm near Norwich! They built 3 Sprites and they date back to 1971. Effectively they’re the first British designed and built “glass” gliders. However, there’s a “but”, a big BUT! Speaking with the head of the BGA technical committee, Howard Torode, and Howard says the glider type was never fully certified, just a “Permit to Fly”. That’s because the resin used was polyester, as used in boats, and not epoxy as it should have been. For a certainty the glider will never fly, display only. However, as the first British (“sort of”) glass glider it has historic interest.
· Swales TG3-15T, DLZ, BGA 2212. Arrived at Lasham I think 22nd April towed in its trailer by Gary P. from Leeds. This glider first flew we believe in 1977 and last flew 3 years ago. The design is the final derivative of the BG135 (our gate guardian is a BG135) and is the only one with a “T” tail – all the predecessors had “V” tails. The intention is to get her flying again but we need to have the logbook and paperwork for this and we understand they’re currently in France. Assuming it goes ahead it will be a winter project. The glider is currently in its trailer.
Tail note
Three classes of World Championships (Club, Standard, and 15 metre) were held at Tabor, Czech Republic, 7 – 21 June. The British team did exceptionally well. 3rd in the Club, 2nd in both Std and 15 M, and GB won silver in the overall team event. Why am I telling you this in the GHC news update? Well two of our members were amongst the medal winners! Jez Hood was second in the Standards and Tom Arscott second in the 15 metres. In the case of Tom, he was beaten by the winner by a minuscule 10 points!
(The British team, 6 pilots and the team captain. Taken by Werner Stroud)
Jez Hood is centre and Tom Arscott second from the left looking at the photo, you can see the silver medals. Actually, in the photo above there’s a further 3 Lasham members – Clem Allen (Team Captain), Howard Jones, and George White – though they’re not GHC members (or at least not at the moment!).
Glyn Bradney, 3 July 2025
