Awesome to hear a pilots perspective. My Grandfather flew in a Horsa on the Orne canal raid (Trooper George Wilson). He would rarely speak of his wartime experiences.
'Really enjoyed listening to this, told with a great smile! Thank You, Mark Freeman. (My late Father was on Op' Market Garden P2 /Horsa 'B' Squadron. Chalk 327).
My Granddad who is 101 now, flew an AS.51 (Horsa) he told me that it was made out of wood and that it was very scary getting toed, He was in OP Overlord, OP Marketgarden and OP Slapstick, in Marketgarden he did get compromised and got shot down, he sent his men out of the plane so there wasn't any more casualties, he and his co pilot did survive, But later on that day his co pilot was captured. it took him 3 days to get discovered and took back to wherever they were occupying.
Two things to note. 1. Excessive concern for quality in a single use disposable item. The end of every flight was a crash landing. 2. They used two pilots in a Horsa and only one in a four engine heavy bomber???
Since it was designed to crash land, that would take all the concentration and vision, especially at night. Crash landings are a lot more stressful for the pilot so it makes sense to have two pilots. The precision landings of the gliders that had Pegasus Bridge as the objective could probably not have been done by a single pilot. As the first pilot would try to spot landmarks along the way, after having been detached from the tow plane, the second pilot could keep an eye on the map and time passed. So it was not just crash landing, they also had to glide quite a bit down to the objective and succesfully navigate to the landing spot. In a Lancaster bomber, if the plane returned in one piece, landing was rarely an issue. And if the plane got hit, all crew would have to bail out anyway.
Well the plywood experts advised them that if they compromised on the quality then the airframe would not stand the stresses. And don't forget that they were not single use, there were all the training exercises as well 😊
I wish that a new bulided Airspeed Horsa glider could be created with a try-cycle fixed landing gear with double tire nose gear and be towed up again to the sky this time with the LOCKHEED C-130 HERCULES
Very interesting! Thank you for taking the time to post and conduct the interview!
Depending on the situation, these aircraft were reused...
“Oh they were quite safe………..very airworthy.” Well I guess everything is relative.
What a grand old gentleman; we owe him and his brothers such a debt of thanks.
Oh so true
He’s my uncle!
Such a lovely man.
Awesome to hear a pilots perspective. My Grandfather flew in a Horsa on the Orne canal raid (Trooper George Wilson). He would rarely speak of his wartime experiences.
'Really enjoyed listening to this, told with a great smile! Thank You, Mark Freeman. (My late Father was on Op' Market Garden P2 /Horsa 'B' Squadron. Chalk 327).
The Horsa is designed so good, that even a wood and paper model of it flies very well!
My Granddad who is 101 now, flew an AS.51 (Horsa) he told me that it was made out of wood and that it was very scary getting toed, He was in OP Overlord, OP Marketgarden and OP Slapstick, in Marketgarden he did get compromised and got shot down, he sent his men out of the plane so there wasn't any more casualties, he and his co pilot did survive, But later on that day his co pilot was captured. it took him 3 days to get discovered and took back to wherever they were occupying.
Amazing professional and a brave, brave man. Utmost respect. Sir!
My dad also flew this aircraft, he also throughly enjoyed flying it great aircraft.
Two things to note.
1. Excessive concern for quality in a single use disposable item. The end of every flight was a crash landing.
2. They used two pilots in a Horsa and only one in a four engine heavy bomber???
Since it was designed to crash land, that would take all the concentration and vision, especially at night.
Crash landings are a lot more stressful for the pilot so it makes sense to have two pilots.
The precision landings of the gliders that had Pegasus Bridge as the objective could probably not have been done by a single pilot.
As the first pilot would try to spot landmarks along the way, after having been detached from the tow plane, the second pilot could keep an eye on the map and time passed.
So it was not just crash landing, they also had to glide quite a bit down to the objective and succesfully navigate to the landing spot.
In a Lancaster bomber, if the plane returned in one piece, landing was rarely an issue.
And if the plane got hit, all crew would have to bail out anyway.
Well the plywood experts advised them that if they compromised on the quality then the airframe would not stand the stresses. And don't forget that they were not single use, there were all the training exercises as well 😊
Beyond brave.
I wish that a new bulided Airspeed Horsa glider could be created with a try-cycle fixed landing gear with double tire nose gear and be towed up again to the sky this time with the LOCKHEED C-130 HERCULES
WWII put the industrial world back to work.
;-)