There were some 53 Vigilant T.1 purchased by the R.A.F. for use at the R.A.F. Central Flying School and four Volunteer Gliding Squadrons : Nos. 631, 632, 637 and 645. Following airworthiness issues the number in use was reduced to 15.
Power plant 1 x 95 h.p. Grob 2500 E1 four cylinder air cooled piston engine.
Accommodation 2 (Pupil and Instructor)
Span 57'1" Length 26'8" Height 5'7" Wing area 204 sq ft Empty weight 1,874 lb Loaded weight 1,874 lb
Service ceiling 8,000 ft
Danger Al, e-mail, 18.01.2010 18:59
I flew the G-109 many times from the Grob factory to the Alps not far away. From an operational standpoint, it was a well-developed design with an easily feathered prop, 2-pitch control, folding wings, etc. It sips fuel, handles nicely without flaws, and has cool novel features such as a speedbrake detent that can be overridden with a little extra control force. Engine starts reliably after extended gliding. Well done! Glide ratio is decent, but it's just too heavy for most updrafts unless you are particularly good at finding strong lift.
Herbert, e-mail, 13.04.2009 18:21
The Grob T-1 Vigilant ist a military version of the G-109 Motor Glider.