February 9, 2006 at 8:15 pm
Hi
Can anyone fill in a bit of detail for us? We are after a description, diagram or photo of the yoke which was attached to MkV Whitley aircraft for glider towing. Any other comments or observations about glider towing in general (WW2) would be most welcome.
Cheers
By: Aeronut - 10th February 2006 at 20:59
I’m going to have to search through the archive (although I know I’m thin on Whitley items).
The Whitley’s yoke was similar in design to that fitted to the Wellington and the Stirling, an ‘H’ section U shaped yoke with the release at the base of the U.
Try looking for the Arms and Armour Press reprint of the RAF Airborne Forces Manual (ISBN 0-85368-163-5) which has a diagram of the Whitley’s yoke on page 253.
Has anyone got photos of Spitfires towing Hotspurs? I have copies of the reports for the Mk V and Mk IX, and I know that Farnborough tested the MkI. All I have is a photo of the tow hook on the tailwheel.
By: DocStirling - 9th February 2006 at 20:20
The Stirling was a particularly good glider tug, becasue it didn’t stretch after towing! I’ll try to find a good piccy of the tow rope attachment later.
DS