Horsa Glider Markings

Yup, as Aeronut said – aircraft were owned and serviced by the RAF but the pilots (except the RAF chaps drafted in) were Army Air Corps.

So if you’re researching an specific glider you need to look into RAF records but be prepared for a struggle because unlike other aircraft, the glider records aren’t as complete.

I think the gliders were similar to the AOP Austers, owned and serviced by the RAF but flown by the Army (yes I know about the RAF glider pilots for the Rhine crossing).

thanks for that – I’ve pm’d you separately.

One other general question – something I’d never given any thought to before – what’s the organisational structure behind a glider – AAC Squadron, RAF Squadron or what?
Who’s books were they on, who maintained them etc etc

Thanks

Can’t recall the exact roundel sizes (need to look them up) but they follow the RAF standard. The camoflauge scheme for the Horsa basically follows the RAF standards for bombers in most aspects. The camoflauge pattern if well known and you can basically follow the airfix kit – just don’t follow the training scheme it gives.

Shawbury’s Horsa – that white backed serial you can ignore. Serials were standard red on black or black on camo depending on the scheme. I fear they copied the airfix kit which has multiple errors.

As for stencils (and camo actually) you need more info.

● what mark?
● what year?
● what unit?
● what theatre?
● what specification/fit?
● which mods fitted?
● which maker?

All of the above will effect the camo scheme, markings and stencilling.

I’m also looking for the manufacturer’s drawings of the camouflage patterns and stencilling – if anyone can point me in the right direction

thanks