Assault Glider Project

Ah right, cheers for clearing that one up! Been wondering what happened to it. I believe the AGT will also try to obtain examples of British Airborne weapons and vehicles etc for the museum as well, would be very interesting.

[QUOTE=Rlangham]and a similar section to the Tank Museum one at the Museum of Army Transport, QUOTE]

likely to be very similar as IIRC they are one and the same. It left the MAT for Bovvy long before Beverley’s prolonged demise…..

Whilst I would look forward to seeing a complete Hamilcar in the flesh (my greatest desire would be able to pole one, but I know that could never happen now), I cannot help thinking where it would be put on completion. The Assault Glider project still have to find a final home for the Horsa. Middle Wallop re-created the Hotspur on the grounds that it was the SMALLEST glider of the wartime quartet (but who these days remembers the Hengist) and on completion the coment heard from the museum management was “I thought you said this was the small one!” Lets not forget that the Hamilcar was the largest wooden aircarft ever built in the UK.
Large aircraft and accountants with small imaginations don’t mix.

Theres also a Hamilcar (mostly complete) at the Museum of Army Flying, and a similar section to the Tank Museum one at the Museum of Army Transport, although since that closed i don’t know where its gone. I hope the guys at AGT will build a Hamilcar, would be cool.

The website is really good, can’t wait to see the Horsa, Hadrian and Dakota when they’re done, will be great for wherever they go (Probably Cosford)

Hi bud…email checked and replied to.

Cheers

Hi there Andy, check your e-mail 😎

P.S, I asked the Project about the possibility of them making a Hamilcar sometime in the future, I certainly didn’t get a “no”, “not ever” response ……we live in hope!.

It was a friend of mine who pointed out there was a discussion going on here about the Assault Glider Project. Not wanting to miss out on talking about a subject that is very close to my heart, I thought that I’d get myself registered so I could add my 10 pence worth.

First, an introduction is in order I think. I’m the Son of a WWII glider pilot who saw action in France and Holland during 1944. Since my Dad passed away I’ve become totally immersed in all matters concerning the British military glider program.

As Kev pointed out, the fragility of these aircraft cannot be underestimated. The gliders were made in sections with many of these component parts being built by furniture manufacturers. For Companies who were more used to making tables and chairs they excelled themselves in this “new” work but one does wonder if the odd error passed through the net. Due to the huge demands put on natural resources during the war, “B” grade timber was often used in the construction of military gliders too. Stories of these aircraft breaking up in mid-air, losing their tail sections e.t.c are unfortunately far too common. Yes, the gliders were fragile but those daring young men of the Glider Pilot Regt. flew what they were given with the kind of flying skill which even today, 60+ years after they did their “bit” for King and Country, is still admired by anyone who knows their ailerons from their elevators!. To anyone reading this thread I would say stick your hand in your pocket and go buy a couple of books on the subject, Alan Lloyd’s, “The Gliders”, “The History of The Glider Pilot Regiment” by Claude Smith and “One Night in June” by Steve Wright & Kevin Shannon are all great reads and they’ll give you an insight into the sacrifices made by some of the greatest pilots ever to walk this Earth.

It’s great to see that the Assault Glider Project is receiving such interest and in my own efforts to preserve the history of the GPR, I’m collecting stuff with a view to putting together a mobile museum, (a Glider Pilot “roadshow” if you like). At the heart of this will be a 1/1 scale replica of a Horsa cockpit. I’ve been gathering original parts for this for almost 3 years now and I’m hoping that the actual build will start in the very near future…. I’ll be sure to let you guys know when this happens….donations of bags of nails,circular saws with operators and cups of tea would be most welcomed 😉

On behalf of those who those who never returned from their last mission in a “matchbox”, thanks for taking the time to post something which will help to make sure they’ll never be forgotten.

Andy

Finally, the Dakota……

Waco Hadrian…..

Cheers for the pics, still annoyed that i wasn’t able to go. Were any airborne jeeps e.t.c. there? Can’t wait to go next time. I’m not sure but i think they might be planning to build more gliders after this, a Hamilcar would be very nice!

More of the Horsa……

Wow, that looks like a worthwhile visit !!!!

Thanks for sharing the pics, TMN

Cheers
TNZ