Horsa Glider crash at Double Hills.

Yes Springers,Bob Swallow,who lives near me witnessed the crash as a child.He said he heard a `crack` and turned to see the complete tail falling off the glider ” like it had been cut clean with a knife”.The Stirling tug circled for a bit then returned to Keevil,both pilots then jumped in a jeep and drove back to the crashsite ,but there was nothing they could do.Charlie Padfield lives quite close to me.

I have just unearthed a book entitled ‘High Littleton & Hallatrow a pictorial history’ which has pictures of the Padfield family, the crash and letter are mentioned.
Colin.

There is usually a good write up on the memorial in the Glider Pilot Regiment Association each year. Flicking back through the back issues there is often reference to it and various memories and discussion on what happened.

My late mother was a witness to this crash which occurred in a field between Hallatrow and Paulton.She was walking with me and my brother,I was 2 and my brother 2months.I was told there was a Memorial at the crash site.My father was based in Hallatrow at the time in the RMP and my mother was staying in the village.I can remember Archie Padfield who was foreman with a local haulage firm.
Colin.
I can remember being told there was an explosion in the air and that the towing aircraft followed the glider down to check the crash site.There used to be an annual memorial service at the Memorial.

The memorial:
http://www.ww2museums.com/artikel/7683/Monument-Horsa-RJ113.htm

Yes Springers,Bob Swallow,who lives near me witnessed the crash as a child.He said he heard a `crack` and turned to see the complete tail falling off the glider ” like it had been cut clean with a knife”.The Stirling tug circled for a bit then returned to Keevil,both pilots then jumped in a jeep and drove back to the crashsite ,but there was nothing they could do.Charlie Padfield lives quite close to me.

Thankyou OneEighthbit….The Glider caught fire on crashing with `explosive charges` going off.

My late mother was a witness to this crash which occurred in a field between Hallatrow and Paulton.She was walking with me and my brother,I was 2 and my brother 2months.I was told there was a Memorial at the crash site.My father was based in Hallatrow at the time in the RMP and my mother was staying in the village.I can remember Archie Padfield who was foreman with a local haulage firm.
Colin.
I can remember being told there was an explosion in the air and that the towing aircraft followed the glider down to check the crash site.There used to be an annual memorial service at the Memorial.

Thankyou OneEighthbit….The Glider caught fire on crashing with `explosive charges` going off.

This thread?

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=104374

I wonder what injuries Mr Padfield sustained in his rescue attempt. Normally aircrash = fire = burn injuries but a Horsa wouldn’t catch fire on crashing would it?

Roger Smith.