On 23rd October, 1978, Kenley’s last original hangar was destroyed in a fire, when a heater was left covered in a room used to store newspapers for charity.
Besides the destruction of this historic building 615VGS had their gliders in the hangar and these were also lost…
Three Slingsby T.31B Cadet TX.3 gliders were completely destroyed (WT875, XA300 and XN242). Another (XA288) was severely damaged, but was later rebuilt/repaired and re-designated, G-BPCW, thence to EI-CJT at Rathcoole, Ireland.
A Slingsby T.21, WB929 was also destroyed in the fire. WB932 was away being smartened up as it was the spare for Prince Andrew’s solo, so 615VGS had WB922 on loan and that was destroyed.
WB932 didn’t get used for Prince Andrew’s flight. It was returned to 615VGS and made the first launch of the recommenced operation on 17th Feb 1980.
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