By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd July 2010 at 20:13
Sorry for the delay but I’ve been doing 16 hour days on an Air Cadet VGS for the last week.
Funny you should mention Laurence Wright as the pictures were part of his papers kept at Middle Wallop, along with his anotated proof of ‘The Wooden Sword’.
I also think it’s about time The Wooden Sword was reprinted.
By: Arabella-Cox - 30th June 2010 at 10:44
Well not so much feeling smug but glad for once a top came up I can actually comment on. Hotspurs and GTS training are about the only thing I have any real deep knowledge of.
Interesting the Hotspur I trials. As you say the Hotspur II was recorded and I have said report to hand but I never knew of the other tests. I wonder if it’s the one mentioned in Lawrence Wright’s book.
Be interested to know where you found the pictures though. 🙂
By: Arabella-Cox - 24th June 2010 at 18:13
Correct. No prizes but I’ll allow you to feel smug for a few hours. :p
The reports conclusion wasn’t all that negative just suggesting that some modifications should be carried out if they were going to make a habit of ditching the Hotspur.
Interestingly it was only the 2 Hotspur II trial ditchings that were officially reported on by the AFEE, which begs the same questions of these two photos that show the successful ditching of a short span Hotspur I.
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By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd June 2010 at 01:39
Modifed G.A.L Hotspur II BT771 used in ditching trials summer 1942. Attempted to land fully loaded with wheel jettisoned in Tatton Park lake near Ringway. Pilots were Robin Fender O.C. Experimental Flight A.F.E.E and G/Cpt L.G “Stiffy” Harvey of C.L.E
Glider was modified to have fuselage drains plugged and the sill raised with a view to allowing it to be ditched or used in amphibious assaults. Report concluded it wasn’t a good idea…
Later plans proposed snatch towing them off carriers and landing them on/near beaches in the Pacific theatre.
Do I win anything? 😀
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June 22, 2010 at 10:56 pm