Clarke Glider - RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK - Static Aircraft Displays on Waymarking.com

The RAF Museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm with admission being free. Car parking is available but there is a charge. The nearest underground station is Colindale about a 10-15 minute walk away or a number 303 bus passes both the tube station and museum. The co-ordinates posted are for the entrance to the "Milestones of Flight" hall/exhibition entrance.

The RAF Museum's website tells us about the glider:

In 1910 TWK Clarke and Co., a Kingston-on-Thames manufacturer of aircraft, accessories and flying models, produced a range of four biplane gliders. This machine, based on a configuration evolved by the American pioneer Octave Chanute, was the third largest of the range and resembled the Wright brothers' aircraft in general construction. It could be bought as a kit for 10 guineas (£10.50) or completely assembled and covered for £34.

The machine was flown as a hang-glider with the pilot resting his armpits on the padded cushions, while the two control levers, connected in unison, operated the rudder when moved from side to side and the one-piece elevator when moved backwards or forwards. Banking in turns was achieved by the pilot swinging his body and legs towards the inside of the anticipated turn.

Gliding and hang-gliding are now popular leisure pastimes, but at the time T.W.K. Clarke built this glider, powered and controlled flight had yet take place. Gliders were used by many pioneers to perfect their skill at flying and also the machines they were building.

What makes this a milestone aircraft?

As a representative of the earliest gliders, this type of machine was the "test bed" for what we now enjoy as powered and controlled flight. The first aircraft to fly was, in fact, an identical configuration to a glider with an engine fitted.

The history of this aircraft can be seen here.

Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Clarke Glider Construction:: original aircraft Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): RAF Musuem, Hendon, London inside / outside: inside Access restrictions: See the detailed description. Tail Number: (S/N): Not listed Other Information:: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)

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