Any Colditz Glider experts out there???

Hi all, bumping this thread again. Are any forumites Flixton museum linked, I would like to get some dedicated time at the museum to review the construction of the Colditz replica mentioned here.

Any help or details could they be emailed to [email]tony@thegliderworkshop.co.uk[/email]

Much appreciated.

Regards

FB

My rather over used photo of Colditz Glider at Flixton ….

Keith.

I have done some research into this aircraft because of its links back to Barton and a 3rd party.
From the documents I have (relating to the original design and subsequent discussion between Goldfinch & Latimer-Needham) the reproduction built at Lasham (commissioned in 2000, BGA 4757 now at Flixton as I guess you know) was fairly accurate as it was built under the guidance of Bill Goldfinch/John Best (& Tony Rolt) from a draft of the original plans , this version was adapted in a small way to speed up production an meet modern standards required to fly.

I have a copy of the reproduction build footage if that’s any help.

3 veiw of the glider taken from ‘British Gliders and Sailplane 1922-1970’ by norman Ellison.

Dave

Replica Flying

Here’s the replica flying

Chris

I wrote this obituary to the late Bill Goldfinch back in 2007. http://www.kingpinmedia.co.uk/_OtherSites/LutonMinor/LatestNews18.htm , plus links to his involvement with the reproduction Colditz glider and the ‘proper’ Telegraph obituary……

i remember watching a program 3 or 4 years ago where they built the glider as close to the design as poss “and flew it”. i think it was covered in blue/white checkered tablecloth cloth.

Didnt it feature on one of the special Negus /Martin documenbtaries on the history channel about 2 years ago.They built it faithfully and the programme was using some very old footage as the guys involved were still alive and they talked about it and the fact of how they hid it from the Germans .Ands yes it did fly I dont hink it was anything spectacular but I think they proved it could have flown a decent distance to clear the castle and surrounding grounds.

Mike E

www.whirlwindfighterproject.org

i remember watching a program 3 or 4 years ago where they built the glider as close to the design as poss “and flew it”. i think it was covered in blue/white checkered tablecloth cloth.

Hi Guys

Thanks for the replies, have just returned from a 1800 mile round trip journey to the Czech Republic in 50 something hours so feeling a little whacked! I’ll get onto these leads and PMs in the morning, thank you all!!!

FB

I can’t remember which but I came across the reference number for the folder in one of the US archives containing the original copy of the above photo.

Flight International magazine 26 September 1968 has an article on Colditz **** (Note: not my asterisks) complete with only known photo and drawings etc.
http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1968/1968%20-%202123.html

Cheers
Richard

Colditz Glider

A full scale replica has recently been constructed by enthusiats at the Altenburg Museum – Museum Flugweit Altenburg/Noblitz -and will shortly be transported the short distance to Colditz where it is to be put on display. It appears from photos to be a faithful reproduction even down to featuring a gingham pattern covering fabric which I believe was used in POW pillowcases.
Check it out on their web site-www.flugweit-altenburg-noblitz.de.
Hope this information will be of use.

Hugh

My family and i have often wondered If the Germans realy knew about the glider. The German’s would have had an easier time with so many English pow’s tied up with the building of the glider. Can you imagen the Germans joking about the dumkopf Englander’s working on a glider to get over the wall! Using up bed boards and floor boards, making life in Colditz even harder for them.

The design of the glider didnt make the building any easier curved wing tips and using a Luton Bussard type rudder, When the could just made straight wing tips and a Grunau/ Kadet rudder.
I must take my hat of to the people who worked on the glider, I know how difficult i can be working on them.

Dave

One of the directors of Suffolk and Norfolk is a good friend of mine, he’s a mine of info!

Graham

What is it you need to know exactly?

Can’t say I’m an “expert” but it’s been a point of discussion in the Glider Pilot Regiment Association magazine for years. At least once a year someone asks about it and info it put forward.