Fred Slingsby wanted to take a larger slice of the glider market with a small, low-cost sailplane with better than average performance.

To maintain laminar flow and gain the benefit of the NACA sections, it was necessary to build the wings very accurately and ensure that the surface remained true during the life of the aircraft.

The leading edge was fashioned from accurately-spindled hollow spruce members with rebates to accept the gaboon ply wing panels extending back to the rear spar, leaving only a small area to be covered with fabric.

The Skylark was successful to a limited degree but it introduced Slingsby to new manufacturing techniques and the vagaries of laminar flow.

As with modern gliders any reduction in laminar flow caused a disproportionate increase in drag, reinforcing the need for careful handling, cleaning and polishing, and avoiding rain while flying.