This T.31 model began as a trip down memory lane for the author who learned to fly in as an Air Cadet at RAF Swanton Morley back in 1965. Inspired by the impressive third party gliders including the beautiful K7, modelling such a simple aircraft looked to be a simple project. However, it has been a steep learning curve journeying through the 3D modelling world of Blender and the MSFS SDK, aided by sparse historical documentation on the web and drawing heavily on the community. Credits are given in the package Notes.
This T31 comes in three liveries with the yellow markings of the early years, the orange of the 1960’s/70’s and the red and white livery of the late 60s through 80’s
The T.31 is a slightly ponderous glider and this one is visually modelled as dual though only flyable from the front seat. It had a minimalist cockpit and is tuned to fly hands off at around 42 knots, delivering a rate of descent around 200 ft/min at 36 knots and stalling at 33 knots. The author hopes to have achieved somewhere near the true flying characteristics however constructive feedback from those still flying the T31 or with enough hours in it to know it well is very welcome.
The T31 was never a pretty aircraft and does not match the beauty of other 3rd party gliders but perhaps a flight or two will bring back some memories. Testing the T31 over MSFS Swanton Morley the author was surprised when first coming along the 280 downwind leg and looking down towards the launch point where his course members would have been assembled the memories came back with a bang along with some unexpected emotions.
This T.31 is offered free at flightsim.to for personal use and not for any form of personal gain.
Download then unzip to your Community Folder.
Diqital_Aviator
DownedAviator
Excellent. Pretty much as I remember it from a very long time ago. Only thing missing is the wind in my face (must buy a desk fan) 😊
I hope somebody does the T21 Barge some day.
retiredpaul
Also learned to fly these at Swanton Morley 1969 (ish). First solo flight was scary, second OK but the third was magical, wish I had taken it further.
steffieth
bengeoghegan11
2 months ago
Stuhunt
I too flew the T21 at Swanton Morley in the '60s...... my Dad was Station Commander!
klem author
You little name-dropper you :) Hope you enjoy this one (T31).
1 years ago
KJKerr
Now this is amazing. My first ever glider flight was in the Air Cadets on the 25th of March, 1972. It was from RAF Spittalgate, and according to my 3822, you have included the very aircraft I flew on that occasion... XA293. Wonderful. I now have my first glider, and my first powered flight available in the sim. Chipmunk WK591 is a repaint available for the Aeroplane Heaven Chipmunk too. One point, I see the wrong registration number under the wings in your XA293.. But What a neat addition to my simming experience. Thank you.
KlausMann
Can't get her to launch with the ingame winches. No Tow past 30mph.
klem author
Klausman
go int othe flight_model.cfg, go to [REFERENCE SPEEDS] and replace current entries with:
takeoff_speed = 60
climb_speed = 70
cruise_speed = 70
This will be in the update when I release it.
1 years ago
ivanr
The trim sense is in reverse to all the other gliders, hopefully this can be addressed in the next release.
klem author
Hmm I will deal with that!
1 years ago
car767
Hi i can't get the B21 launcher to work. I waggle the rudder followed by ctrl+F1 and the cable disconnects and the wing drops to the ground and stays there. The default winch is too slow to get airborne. Any advice please.
Thanks.
B21
the built-in ("B21") winch launch is started with a click on the cable release knob in the cockpit, but you're right you do need to drop the MSFS tow cable first. I've PM'd klem with the mystery settings used for the MSFS winch/aerotow speed - there's absolutely no documentation for those. I'm sure T31 version 1.0.0.0.1 will tidy up these small details.
1 years ago
DownedAviator
Thanks. First thing I ever flew. RAF Kenley ca. 1965.
2427 Squadron Air Training Corps, RAF Biggin Hill.
klem author
Me too, same year, Swanton Morley.
1 years ago
B21
Yayy CONGRATS! Nice job, great to have another glider in MSFS. I took it to Nikolsdorf with a 12-knot wind blowing from the South and had a great time soaring the nearby slopes. Could smell the wood and doped fabric.
There's a couple of minor glitches which is understandable for a 1.0.0.0.0.0 version (mainly the MSFS aerotow and winch, which aren't friendly to low-speed gliders anyway) but they'll be easy to iron out. Thanks for all the effort that went into this.
NOSNILMOT
Is that Tangmere I see below ....
klem author
Yes, it is. As a volunteer at the museum we always had a model for FSX and P3D in the simulators so I decided to make one for MSFS (not used at the museum). It comes in three parts, the airfield, the domestic site and the museum :) All buildings are a bit basic, simple shells with textures for effect. I can upload it if there's enought interest. Somewhere to fly your Spitfire and Hunter from? Also has a couple of 'extra' grass runways for glider launches/landings but I've no idea where the gliders really launched from.
1 years ago
EPPRGLIDER81
Great work - all new gliders are much appreciated and due to too much ambient lift in MSFS those with higher sink rates are even more welcome 😊 It works fine in VR too! May I suggest, if possible to move it to Others -> Gliders category that is https://flightsim.to/c/aircraft/gliders-aircraft/ for better discoverability. Also would be great if possibility of disabling pilot model in second seat would be an option (in other gliders it is done typically by pressing button on stick or on pilot body). Great start!
klem author
Hi, thanks for the feedback.
EDIT: Found out how to move it, it is now under Gliders.
I'll look into removing the second pilot although it is CG loaded as two occupants. Perhaps it is possible without changing the loadout or maybe I have to add a tail weight station. If it is an irritation feel free to remove her in the flightmodel.cfg.
1 years ago
johnwillimas
Very nice - I'm having a few quirks though. My wing runner appears to signal and then set off in the wrong direction after waving to a winch at 90 degrees off from the actual launch? Secondly I can't launch with the Asobo winches. Aero-tow is fine but the winch launch tows me down the runway at a stately 35 knots and I can't get airborne. (The KA7 works correctly off the same launch point)
klem author
Hi John. Thank you for the feedback. I can't explain the wingrunner, he does behave strangely including facing backwards sometimes but the aerotow still goes ahead. I assumed it is an Asobo problem. Also I don't know why the Asobo winch launch is so slow. My mistake in releasing it without noticing it, I tended to test with aerotow or B21 launcher. I'll wait for further feedback from someone who may recognise these problems, perhaps there is a setting buried away somewhere. I can't find a 'ground/surface drag' setting that might slow it down or an Asobo winch speed setting.
1 years ago
AdamskiNZ
Ooooh ... many thanks!! A trip down memory lane!!! Any chance of a T21???
johnwillimas
There was a T21 for FSX still available at Classic British Flight sim, it might convert??
1 years ago