Air Enthusiast 1971-10 / Plane facts

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: RA809   [9]

The Baynes "Bat", seen in towed flight, was a one-third flying scale model of the projected "carrier wing" which it was intended to fit to tanks.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-05 / P.Jarrett - Nothing ventured... (2)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: RA809   [9]

Aviation Historian 27 / T.Buttler - The Oldest Swinger

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: RA809   [9]

RA809, the Baynes "Bat", under tow, probably piloted by Flt Lt Robert Kronfeld. The 33ft span glider was a 1/3 scale flying model of a proposed "flying", or gliding, tank.
In 1941 Baynes proposed that most armoured vehicles, even up to an 816-ton (8,630kg) tank, could be transported by air with the addition of a quickly detachable “all-wing” section. A 1/3rd-scale manned flying model of the “Carrier Wing” (aka Bat) was built by Slingsby and tested in the summer of 1943. The idea was not adopted.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-05 / P.Jarrett - Nothing ventured... (2)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: RA809   [9]

The Baynes Bat, built by Slingsby Sailplanes at Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire in 1943. The 33ft-span, all-wood glider made its first flight in July 1943.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-05 / P.Jarrett - Nothing ventured... (2)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: RA809   [9]

The Baynes Bat, built by Slingsby Sailplanes at Kirkbymoorside, Yorkshire in 1943. The 33ft-span, all-wood glider made its first flight in July 1943.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-05 / P.Jarrett - Nothing ventured... (2)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: RA809   [9]

WINGS FOR TANKS. - Mr. Baynes beside the 1/3-scale model of its carrier wing.
In this illustration from The Aeroplane of December 6, 1946, L. E. “The Baron" Baynes lends scale to his 1/3-scale Bat. Fitted with patented Slingsby bellows-operated flaps, the Bat's wing had an aspect ratio of 7:1. No dive brakes were fitted.

Air-Britain Aeromilitaria 2005-03 / Picture Pages

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: RA809   [9]

Photographed dangling in an awkward position is the Baynes Carrier Wing, built by General Aircraft at Hanworth. It was intended as a scale model of a tank-carrying glider and the prototype was RA809. This shot was taken in May 1947 by Maurice Gates.

Air Enthusiast 1996-07 / A.Pelletier - Towards the ideal aircraft? (1)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: RA809   [9]

The Baynes Bat, a scale flying test-bed of a tank-carrying glider.

Aeroplane Monthly 1991-03 / Skywriters

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: RA809   [9]

Two photographs of the Baynes Bat taken at Croydon in 1957 by Peter Amos.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-05 / P.Jarrett - Nothing ventured... (2)

The Bat's control system.

Air-Britain Aeromilitaria 2005-04 / Out of the Archives

The Autumn issue carried a photograph of the one-third scale carrier wing dangling from the roof at Hanworth. From this position it was difficult to make out the actual shape but a drawing appears in a report dated May 1947. The undercarriage consisted of a skid and the pilot was housed in a small cockpit above the centre section. Span is quoted as 3.34 ft., wing area 160 sq ft, dihedral 2°7', sweepback 22°, weight 990 lb, wing loading 6.2 Ib/sq ft. It was noted that flight tests confirmed that this data could differ considerably from tunnel tests.