On 12 April 1931 the first two-seat B.A.C. VII flew, still using the 40 ft 10in span wings of the B.A.C. IV and VI, but with a new fuselage and an aircraft-type twin-wheel undercarriage for aero- or auto-towing. No flaps or air brakes were fitted.
A B.A.C. VII glider was modified by C.H. Lowe-Wylde to a single seater with an engine fitted on top of the wing in 1932.
Ten B.A.C.VII were built, in 1931, followed by one B.A.C.VII Mk.2 prototype in 1932.
A B.A.C. VII sponsored by novelist Barbara Cartland was intended to compete for the Daily Mail cross-channel competition prize, but in trials, flown by Edward Mole and towed by DH.60 Moth G-AAPA of National Flying Services, the combination was unable to get above 6,000 ft, insufficient height for a crossing, so instead a towed flight was made from Maidstone to Reading on 20 June 1931.
The RAF Pageant held at Hendon on 25 June 1932 included a display by three B.A.C. VII gliders. At the British Gliding Association meeting at Huish/Pewsey Hill, G E Collins – the BGA instructor, made the first thermal-soaring flights in the UK, with a cross-country flight of 6 miles in a B.A.C. VII on 3 July 1933. Some B.A.C. VIIs were sold as kits, including one built in Palestine, and a replica was built by Michael Maufe in the 1980s, using the wings from a Drone.
Photographs of the prototype B.A.C. VII Mk.2 appeared in “Sailplane and Glider” in 1932 showing parts under construction. A two-seater it featured longer span wings, with slight dihedral, revised cantilever all-moving tailplane, and wheel brakes were fitted, No flaps but small spoilers were fitted to the leading edges of the wings.
It is not known if the B.A.C. VII Mk.2 was completed and flown.
The B.A.C.VII were developed into the Planette, Drone, Super Drone, and Drone de Luxe.
Variation: B.A.C. Planette
B.A.C. VII
Wingspan: 12.48 m / 40 ft 10 in
Length: 6.91 m / 22 ft 8 in
Wing area: 17.09 sq.m / 184 sq.ft
Aspect ratio: 9
Wing section: Gottengen 532 modified
Seats: 2
Price 1932: £150
B.A.C. VII Mk.2
Wingspan: 13.08 m / 42 ft 11 in
Length: 6.91 m / 22 ft 8 in
Wing area: 19.02 sq.m / 194 sq.ft
Aspect ratio: 9.5
Empty weight: 136.08 lb / 300 lb
Seats: 2
All Aero 