To remedy this shortcoming Fred Slingsby modified the Grunau Baby design with longer gulled wings and rounded fuselage formers skinned with plywood, resulting in the T.6 Kirby Kite.

Further re-design was carried out at the end of World War II, with a raised wing pylon, landing wheel and spoilers fitted as standard.

Almost all the Kirby Kites still flying at the outbreak of World War II were impressed into the Royal Air Force for use as training aircraft for assault glider pilots.

Kirby Kites were also used, along with other types of glider, to assess the ability of the Chain Home radar system to detect aircraft largely constructed of wood.

[1] United Kingdom Data from The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde [2]General characteristics Performance