My first post on this forum is rather large, but I hope members will find it of interest and perhaps be able to help.
The Trust Chairman, Maj Ray Conningham (Ret), has asked Trust Members to circulate the following information:
The Assault Glider Trust, Registered Charity 1088895, has recently acquired DH82A Tiger Moth EM840, and seeks financial support to restore it to its original condition. The aircraft is to be used in the Trust’s Heritage Education Programme.
EM840 was one of a batch of 220 Tiger Moths built by Morris Motors of Cowley in 1943 and delivered in batches between January and December 1943. It was delivered to 21 Elementary Flying Training School (21 EFTS) at RAF Booker on 6th July 1943.
At 0955 hrs on 18th April 1944 EM840 was being flown solo by Corporal ASL Jenner 872865 of the Glider Pilot Regiment when it bounced heavily while trying to land, damaging the port undercarriage. Jenner correctly opened the throttle, went round again and safely landed the aircraft.
The aircraft was sent for repair and never flew again on training before it was sold by the RAF on 25th September 1953. Although it was given the civil registration G-ANBY it was never overhauled for civil operation. Its CAA application was withdrawn by October 1956.
EM840 is still in its original wartime condition but derelict. All parts are complete and restorable except the tailskid. We need an original tailskid if anyone has one or can locate one. The Trust will give the aircraft a major overhaul to “working condition”. It will not be flown because it is a rare original survival and must not be risked.
21 EFTS at RAF Booker was mainly used for initial powered aircraft flying training for pilots of the Glider Pilot Regiment and for refresher courses on that type. Also, many Air Observation Post pilots of the Royal Artillery received their initial flying training at Booker. It is therefore appropriate that this particular aircraft should join the Trust’s Airspeed Horsa, Waco CG4A Hadrian gliders and Douglas C47 glider towing/para dropping aircraft at RAF Shawbury.
Any former pilot who flew from 21 EFTS and can find EM840 in his logbook would be most welcome to visit the Trust to renew acquaintance with the aircraft at our base at RAF Shawbury, near Shrewsbury.
We would also be very pleased to meet ex Cpl ASL Jenner, his family or his friends. The Glider Pilot Regiment Roll of Honour shows that Sgt W.Roy Jenner was killed in action on Operation Anvil/Dragoon on 15th August 1944 and is buried at Magargues Ext, 4.C.18. Perhaps the two men were related.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. More information about the AGT can be found at http://www.assaultglidertrust.co.uk. We will be open this weekend between 10 and 4. Details on the website.
By: kev35 - 1st September 2007 at 23:11
Visited Shawbury today so here’s the text of a post I made elsewhere following today’s visit.
Paid a visit to RAF Shawbury again this afternoon to catch up with the progress on the Horsa and the Waco Hadrian. A little quieter this afternoon but this was only to be expected as an event for Burma Veterans takes place tomorrow (Sunday) for which a large turnout is expected, including the present Viscounts Slim and Montgomery and the somewhat irrepressible Sir Jack Hayward. I was told today that Sir Jack, former chairman of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, was a Hadrian pilot in the Far East.
As always, a warm and friendly welcome awaits. The Horsa is looking fantastic and the attention to detail is stunning. Many of the parts have had to be fabricated purely from drawings scaled up from photographs as many of the original drawings were lost. The woodwork of the wing sections and leading edges look superb and all the jigs are laid out on tables for everyone to see. All those involved with the Project are approachable and more than happy to answer your questions.
The Hadrian sits alongside the Hangar wall and being, as yet, uncovered offers excellent views of the method of construction. It becomes obvious that there was no shortage of the metal work required in the USA. The Project have also acquired an unrestored Tiger Moth which was apparently purchased by the Project after spending 28 years or so in storage on a farm. The particular significance of this airframe being that it was one of those used to give initial flying training to the glider pilots. This airframe has been untouched and really is a time capsule.
The Dakota sat outside, still minus outer wings, but some work has been carried out on the airframe and the interior, while still without seats, currently acts as a storage space for some radio equipment and a number of static lines.
But as ever, the real icing on the cake is the presence of the veterans themselves. Just overhearing snatches of conversation really illuminates what life was like for those who flew the gliders and tugs, and for their passengers.
Onto the photographs. Starting with the ones of the Horsa.
Two of the Hadrian.
The Dakota.
Finally, the Tiger Moth.
One of the veterans I spoke to had flown both the Horsa and Hadrian. When I asked how they compared he told me that “the Hadrian took a while to land as it was an aeroplane. The Horsa you could just throw at the floor.”
And not a single one of them thinks they did anything out of the ordinary.
Well worth a visit.
Regards,
kev35
By: SteveWright - 29th August 2007 at 21:52
Hi Steve, Good to see you are still working on Assault Gilders. Haven’t seen you for a long time. Welcome to the forum.
Best Wishes
Dave Underwood ex BARG, Blecthley Park
Dave,
Thanks for the welcome. PM’d you.
By: SteveWright - 29th August 2007 at 21:50
Excellent news – is it still at Hatch or will it be at Shawbury for this weekend’s event?
She’s now located at Shawbury.
By: SteveWright - 29th August 2007 at 21:48
What is the history of this Tiger between 1956 and the present day?
The only other snippets I have are that she was stored at Hesketh Park, Southport Beach sometime in 1956 and was still there Dec 1958. She was then sold to Short Bros & Harland Ltd, Rochester in April 1960. I believe that’s all the Trust has been able to find.
By: G-ASEA - 29th August 2007 at 21:39
Hi Steve, Good to see you are still working on Assault Gilders. Haven’t seen you for a long time. Welcome to the forum.
Best Wishes
Dave Underwood ex BARG, Blecthley Park
By: Consul - 29th August 2007 at 20:48
Excellent news – is it still at Hatch or will it be at Shawbury for this weekend’s event?
By: avion ancien - 29th August 2007 at 20:27
What is the history of this Tiger between 1956 and the present day?
By: SteveWright - 29th August 2007 at 19:06
Thanks, both, for your welcome and thanks low’n’slow for the link.
By: low'n'slow - 29th August 2007 at 17:58
Welcome to the forum Steve. I know there’s a fair bit of Tiger Moth knowledge on the forum, so I’m sure that you’ll be hearing from a few people.
As far as the missing/damaged tailskid is concerned, I guess you are referring to the “spoon” which makes the final part of the skid. As these wear out with regular use, “new” components have been made and are available via the DH Moth Club Stockbox. (www.dhmothclub.co.uk)
Good luck with the project!
By: bexWH773 - 29th August 2007 at 09:02
Blimey, thats a cracking first post, welcome Steve. A worthy cause thats for sure and all the best. Bex
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August 29, 2007 at 8:57 am