Introductory*
The Grasshopper T Mk.1 sailplane is a single seat, high wing monoplane of wooden construction. It is designed for initial training and is launched manually by elastic rope. For advanced stages of training, it may be launched by towing with a car or winch. A stand is provided to permit training while the aircraft is static

Specifications

Construction*
The fuselage is a flat, open braced framework of spruce and ply, constructed in two parts for convenience of storage and transport. The sections are coupled together by simple pin joints locked with safety pins. The forward part has a deep box section keel and high triangular pylon to which the bracing wires are anchored. The rear part is of lighter construction and carries the tail unit; the rear bay is fabric covered to provide fin area.

The main plane consists of constant-chord port and starbord wings attached to the fuselage by steel hooks and braced with cables. The wings, constructed of two spars with braced ribs, are fabric covered except at the root which has a ply cover.

The tail plane, triangular in plan with a continuous rear spar at right angles to fit the fuselage centre-line, is braced to the fuselage with wooden struts. It is constructed of wood and is fabric covered. The landing skid is pin-joined at the forward end and attached to the fuselage by two rubber shock absorber units; each of these units is made of six separate heavy rubber cylinders connected together by end plates and bolts. A metal strip at the rear of the fuselage is provided as tail skid.

The control surfaces are operated by control circuits consisting of levers and cables. The cables are guided by pulleys and fairleads, and working parts are mounted on phosphor branze hinges; the control surfaces are mounted on steel fork-and-eye hinges.