The Slingsby Type 61 Falke was a licence-built version of the Scheibe SF 25B Motor glider built by Slingsby Sailplanes. It entered service with the Royal Air Force for air cadet training as the Slingsby Venture.

In 1970 Slingsby acquired a licence to build the SF 25B as the Type 61A Falke, a side-by-side two-seat dual training monoplane. This first variant was powered by a 45 hp Starck Stamo MS1500 engine and first flew at Wombleton on 8 February 1971. During May 1971 one aircraft was evaluated by the Royal Air Force as the Venture T1 and an order for 15 aircraft followed. The aircraft were to be operated by Volunteer Gliding Schools for basic air cadet training. Following replacement by the Grob Vigilant T1 they were all sold in 1990.

RAF VGS 612 ZA652, ZA653, ZA654

RAF VGS 616 ZA625, ZA630

RAF VGS 642 XZ550 August 1978, XZ563 October 1978, ZA630 March 1980, ZA657, ZA659 replaced XZ653

RAF VGS 644 ZA634 29 March 1980.

General characteristics

Performance