MUSEUM FLIGHT The Canadian Museum of Flight Glidepath News 2000 Canad Issue 70 Phone (604) 532-0035 Fax: (604) 532-0056 Summer 2001 Email: museum@direct.ca Hangar #3-5333 216th Street Langley, B.C., V2Y 2N3
An aerial illustration of a Horsa I shows the tow-attachment points of this trooping version at the junction of the main landing gear legs and spar. The Mk II’s attachment point was on the nosewheel leg.
The Horsa Glider, built by Airspeed, was ordered under Air Ministry specification 8.26/40 in December of 1940. The specification called for a troop carrying Glider which was to have almost double the capacity of the Waco CG- 4A Hadrian which was designed and developed in America for the US Army during 1941. Following acceptance of Airspeed’s design proposal, the Air Ministry ordered seven prototypes. Two of these when fabricated were assembled at Fairey’s works, these being the flight test examples. The remaining five were assembled at Airspeed’s factory at Portsmouth, and these were for use by the British Army to carry out trials in the loading and unloading of typical equipment that they would be expected to carry.
By comparison with the design for a contemporary fighter or bomber aircraft, one would expect that of Airspeed’s AS.51 to be simple. This would have been true if it had not been an essential requirement that the glider must be composed of a number of easily assembled units, instead of being built conventionally on a production line. Thus, it consisted of 30 separate assemblies built mainly by woodworking subcontractors, such as furniture manufacturers. These were subsequently assembled and test flown at RAF Maintenance Units, with some 3,000 of these gliders being constructed in this way. Only about 700 of all the AS.51’s that were built were manufactured, assembled and test flown in one place, and these originated from Airspeed at their Christchurch, Hants, factory. Produced simultaneously with the AS.51, which became designated Horsa I, was the AS.58 with a hinged nose for the direct loading of vehicles and guns, and this was designated Horsa II.
Almost entirely of wood construction, the cantilever high-set wing was built in three sections, had ailerons, split trailing-edge and underwing dive brakes. The fuselage was also in three sections, and provided accommodation for two pilots and a maximum of 25 troops. Landing gear was of the fixed tricycle type, and there was provision to jettison the main units for landing on very rough areas, when the nosewheel and sprung landing skid on the under fuselage centerline had to suffice. The AS.58 had twin nosewheels.
The first prototype, towed by an Armstrong Whitworth Whitely, was flown from Fairey’s Great West Aerodrome on 12 September 1941, and soon after this date the Horsa began to enter service with the RAF, towed for operational purposes by powered aircraft of RAF Transport Command. They were used to carry men and equipment of the Air Landing Brigades of the 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions, piloted mainly by men of the British Army’s Glider Pilot Regiment but also, as and when necessary, by RAF pilots.
The first significant operational use of the Horsa was on 10 July 1943 when 27 survivors of 30 air-towed from Britain to North Africa were deployed during the invasion of Sicily. Horsas subsequently played an important part in the Normandy invasion of June 1944, operated by the RAF and the USAAF, in the invasion of southern France in August 1944, at Arnhem in September 1944. and during the Rhine crossing in March 1945. It is impossible to quote accurate productions figures for the Horsa. The totals agreed by several researchers, however, cannot be too far out, and are as near as possible to the true number. These comprise 471 Mk I and 225 Mk II’s by Airspeed, plus the original seven prototypes; 300 Mk Is and 65 Mk II’s by the Austin Motor Company; and 1,461 Mk I’s and 1,271 Mk II’s by subcontractors in the woodworking industry, the majority produced by the furniture manufacturer Harris Lebus. The amounts to a grand total of 3, 799.
Credits: Chancellor Press London and Hamlyn Publishing Group, London
With appropriate remarks chalked on the side of their Horsa glider, men of the British Airborne Regiment prepare to take off for Normandy on the evening of D-Day (6 June 1944), to reinforce Allied troops landed there earlier. Photo: Imperial War Museum
SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: troop and cargo combat glider
- Powerplant: none
- Performance: maximum towing speed 150 mph (241 km/h); normal gliding speed 100 mph (161 km/h)
- Weight: empty 8,370 lb (3797 kg); maximum takeoff (Horsa 1)15,500 lb (7031 kg), (Horsa II) 15,750 lb (7144 kg)
- Dimensions: span 88 ft 0 in (26.82 m); length (Horsa 1) 67 ft 0 in (20.42), (Horsa II) 67 ft 11 in (20.70 m); height (Horsa 1) 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m), (Horsa II) 20 ft 4 in (6.20 m); wing area 1,104 sq ft (102.56 m )
- Armament: none
- Operators: RAF, USAAF
The CMF Newsletter is published quarterly by the Canadian Museum of Flight. Contributions in the form of articles, news items, letters and photos are welcome, as are comments and criticism. No payment can be made for any manuscripts that are submitted for publication in the CMF Newsletter. The Editor reserves the right to make changes in the manuscripts without altering the meaning.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact either Gogi or Sandy at the Museum by calling (604) 532-0035. Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m 4:00 p.m.
CMF Board of Directors
- Terry Wadhams – President
- Werner Griesbeck – Vice President
- Mike Davenport – Treasurer
- Don Butterley
- Jane Robinson
- Gil Fanslau
- Doug Schwann
- Dan Holliday
- Bill Thompson
UPCOMING EVENTS
MEMBERS DAY Saturday, September 8th 2001
This is our way to thank you… the members and volunteers for supporting the Museum. On Saturday September 8th, we will be hosting Member’s Day. From 1:00-4:00 pm you will have the opportunity to fly in either one of the Museum’s aircraft or airplanes provided for that day. Be a member in good standing for 30 days prior to September 8th, show your membership card and you will then be able to draw an aircraft name out of a box. You will then go for a ride in that selected aircraft. This is done to ensure that everyone receives a ride. In past years, certain “favorite” aircraft had long line ups and it was very difficult to give everyone a ride. Please note, due to the number of aircraft available, there will be a limited amount of rides and so it will be done on a first come first served basis. Also, as all aviation related activities….this day is subject to weather. Should the weather not co-operate the alternate date will be Saturday September 15th, please call the Museum if you are unsure of the weather.
The free aircraft rides will finish at 4:00 pm, but we invite you to stay and socialize and enjoy a BBQ Chicken Buffet. There will be no meeting as it will make for a very long day, but we invite you to come for dinner, drinks, and lots of door prizes. The dinner itself will be $15.00 per person, taxes included.
Flying: 1:00-4:00 Happy Hour: 4:30 Dinner: 5:30
RSVP for the Chicken BBQ before September 5th, 2001 by calling the Museum @ 604-532-0035
Note: due to the very busy summer flying season, this is the first date available for the Museum’s pilots. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
SEE MORE EVENTS ON PAGE 5
VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER
Any of you who attend our Dinner Meetings will recognize the Volunteer of the Quarter- Ken Knutson (Volunteer Coordinator). Ken will very quietly come around to your table in his very discreet “Money Hat” and convince you to buy a 50/50 ticket because he would like to get a matching shirt to his hat. Over the past three years Ken has been the back bone to our summer events. He is a postal worker and takes off five weeks in the summer so that he can spend countless hours at all the Museum’s Summer Events. Last year he spent 7 days straight in Cottonwood Mall, Chilliwack when he himself lives in North Vancouver. Now that we have started yet another very busy summer promoting the Museum, it is very fitting, and an honour to give Ken the title of Summer Volunteer of the Quarter.
Please read his article on Page 4.
The Fleet!
I was finally able to visit your Museum, see the Fleet and to take a lot of pictures of it, and the other aircraft you have on display.
I flew Fleet Finch 4725 on August 4th, 1943 at Cap de Madeline – #11 EFTS. It was my second solo flight and I noticed in my log book that Pilot Officer Cunningham sent me up after a fifteen minute check – BRAVE MAN!
After EFTS and SFTS (Anson’s at Centralia, ON), I went on to further training and an assignment to #59 Squadron RAF Coastal Command (B-24’s). After hostilities in Europe, #423 Squadron (RCAF) was converted to a transport squadron and I was assigned there until Jan. 1946, when I was repatriated and discharged never to fly again! – I thought.
But not so few years later found me with an air carrier (UAL) where I worked for 37 years – all from a beginning on the Fleet Finch!
4725 looks just great – and as I stood there and gazed at it, a lot of memories flashed through my mind. You are to be congratulated on keeping it up so well. Several of the staff members spent quite a bit of time with me and I appreciated this very much.
Best Wishes on your projects and thanks so much.
(Sheldon Joyce, Buffalo Grove, Illinois)
The Museum welcomes donations of used aviation books for our Library and to sell in the Gift Shop. Support the Museum by donating your previously read material.
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
Howard Abrams Langley, BC Claude Kelly Surrey, BC Carl Andrews Langley, BC Stan Kerslake Surrey, BC Dennis Cardy Fort Langley, BC Fraser Maclean Langley, BC Maple Ridge, BC George W. Carpenter Ladysmith, BC Maple Ridge, BC Tom Marchant Kevin McBride Wilf Chernesky Langley, BC Alan Clapp Vancouver, BC Paul Newman Surrey, BC Dave Elder Richmond, BC Langley, BC Cliff Oswald Dave Payton Langley, BC Sandspit, BC Dan Esplen Elmer Goertz Abbotsford, BC Jim Ramsay Surrey, BC Rick Hall Al Harvey Surrey, BC Abbotsford, BC John Rennie Jay V. Smith Richmond, BC Sebastopol, CA Ted Haven Burnaby, BC Franz Stigler Surrey, BC Surrey, BC Ed Hoffman Surrey, BC Maple Ridge, BC Walter Strell Geoff Johnson Ron Tucker Vancouver, BC New Westminster, BC Dr. Jeremy Johnston Surrey, BC Barry Venos
CCW PROGRESS REPORT
The WACO Cabin is progressing, although there isn’t much visual progress. Doug Moan has been busy with all the plumbing and controls to the engine, Don Butterley and Bill Aitken have been fitting the headliner. Don and Bob Fowles have fitted and fixed all the fairings to the wings and struts. This fitting stuff is very time consuming, but it is much easier now, than when the aircraft has new paint on it, and you can’t get to what you need to do. Soon it will be time to take it apart and paint the fabric. Any guesses as to what the colour will be when it is finished?.
Special note: One of our valuable volunteers has not been able to spend as much time as he would like at the Museum, and working on the Cabin so from all of us that miss his smiling face……HURRY BACK JACK!!
Written by: Werner Griesbeck
FROM THE DESK OF THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
We are at the beginning of our season for off site events. The Tradex Car Show was a very successful event from sales and giving out information pamphlets. Our week of sales at Semiahmoo Shopping Centre was also very successful with the funds made from that show going towards fixing our Hangar roof and stopping the leaks. We have a very small core of volunteers that continue to fill in where ever necessary, but there are never enough volunteers. If we can’t increase our volunteer numbers we may have to reduce the number of events we participate in. These events are very important for generating sales and increasing our exposure in the outside community. At almost every event it is very common to be asked “Where is the Museum that used to be on Crescent Road or I thought the Museum went out of business years ago” if the Museum is to continue to grow, we must have exposure in the outside community. If you see an event coming up that appeals to you, please consider volunteering a day or for a few hours. Upcoming events are on Page 5 of this newsletter.
Written by: Ken Knutson (Volunteer Coordinator)
VOLUNTEERS
Many will be shocked to find
When the Day of Judgement nears
There's a special place in heaven
Set aside for volunteers
Furnished with recliners
Couches and footstools
No committee chairmen
Leaders or car pools
No eager team that needs a coach
No bazaars and no bake sales
There's now't for us to staple
Nothing to fold and mail
Telephone lists are outlawed
But a finger-snap will bring
Cool Drinks and gourmet dinners
And treats fit for a King!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- June 30-July 1st – Canada Day Celebrations at the Langley Airport – Require lots of volunteers both days
- July 21st-Langley Advance 70th Anniversary in Douglas Park, Langley – Selling event will require help
- August 10-12th-Abbotsford Air Show, flying and display
- August 19th- Pitt Meadows Airport Days – Full selling event
- August 26th-Chilliwack Flight Fest-Flying and full selling event
- September 8th – Member’s Day – Chicken BBQ Buffet and fun!
- September 9th- Langley Cruise in comes to the Airport – will require tour guides
- September 15th-Alternate Member’s Day if September 8th is rained out
- October 27th, 2001 Dinner Meeting Guest Speaker – Glider Pilot Jim Wallwork D.F.M.
- In the darkness of the very small hours of early ‘D’ Day 1944, well before the main invasion started, Glider Pilot Jim Wallwork D.F.M. accomplished the almost impossible by landing his Horsa glider full of troops 20 miles inland with in yards of what is now known as Pegasus Bridge over the River Orne. Capture of this bridge undamaged, vital to the success of the invasion, was thus accomplished in minutes. He will tell us how this extraordinary feat was managed. Jim had earlier flown a glider of troops in the invasion of Sicily, and, almost at the end of the war, did the same for the Rhine Crossing into Germany.
CORPORATE SPONSORS
PRESTON OLDSMOBILE LTD George Preston – Preston Chevrolet, Cadillac, Oldsmobile Ltd. 1990 Langley By-Pass, Langley, B.C. V3A 4Y1 (604) 534-1717 Craig McCulloch – Pepper’s Marketplace #100-22071 48th Avenue, Langley, B.C.V3A 3N1(604)530-1554 6855 Station Hill Drive, Burnaby, B.C. V3N 5B8 (604)522-6421 Peace Arch Retail Machine Service CHRIS ANDERSON 535-4441 Chris Anderson Peace Arch Retail Machine Service #15624 – 18th Avenue, Surrey, B.C. V4A 5R9 (604) 535-4441 Fun Friendly. Affordable. WESTJET the official airlines of the Canadian Aeronautical Preservation Association (CAPA). 1-800-538-5696 WESTJET Starline Windows Galaxie Signs
REGULATIONS
Operation of aircraft as set forth by the UNITED STATES AIR SERVICES (Published January 1920)
- 1. Don’t take the machine into the air unless you are satisfied it will fly.
- 2. Never leave the ground with the motor leaking.
- 3. Don’t turn sharply when taxiing. Instead of turning short, have someone lift the tail around.
- 4. Never get out of a machine with the motor running until the pilot relieving you can reach the engine controls.
- 5. Pilots should carry hankies in a handy position to wipe off goggles
- 6. Riding on the steps, wings, or tail of a machine is prohibited.
- 7. In case the engine fails on takeoff, land straight ahead regardless of obstacles.
- 8. No machine must taxi faster than a man can walk.
- 9. Do not trust altitude instruments.
- 10. If you see another machine near you, get out of its way.
- 11. Before you begin a landing glide, see that no machines are under you.
- 12. Hedge-hopping will not be tolerated.
- 13. No spins on back or tail slides will be indulged in as they unnecessarily strain the machine.
- 14. Pilots will not wear spurs while flying
- 15. If emergency occurs while flying, land as soon as you can.
Dreams take flight is an Air Canada employee’s fundraiser towards sending 130 special needs children for a one-day adventure to Disneyland in Oct. each year.
This is a rare chance to see Air Canada’s historic 1937 Lockheed L10A Electra” and experience an amazing 45 minute flight in her over downtown Vancouver, around Burnaby Mtn. and returning Flying ACROSS CANADA AIN MAIL PASSENGER atx EXPRESS SERVICES along the White Rock coastline. I can tell you it’s a thrill – I’ve done it twice already and can’t wait to go again.
This year I want to book one flight exclusively for CMF members that means there are 8 seats to fill as # 9 is mine! I hope we can have a picnic lunch afterwards in a location where we can watch the next flight take off. Each seat costs $100.00 (no discounts, for seniors or youth) and I’ll take reservations on a fight come, first serve basis so call me soon.
- Date: Saturday, August 18th, 2001
- Time: 10:30 a.m.
- Place: Vancouver Airport (Free parking)
- Cost: $100.00 per person – Due August 1, 2001
Call Jane Robinson, 604-536-3287 (leave message if no answer)
LETTERS FROM OUR VISITORS
Hello! My husband and I want to thank Andrew Clark once again for an exceptional tour yesterday with my 88 yr. old father (we all live in the west side of Vancouver & it was for Dad’s birthday). We all give Andrew top marks for his superior knowledge and being so willing, patient and personable – we have all come away with great memories of our visit! Thanx again, Lindsey Korchinsky. Note: Andrew Clark is a Cadet with 746 Cloverdale Squadron and volunteers every Sunday at the Museum
Congratulations on your Official Opening March 31, 2001! Several of our board members have been fortunate enough to tour your facility and were very pleased to find the buildings and grounds fully accessible to them. On behalf of The Regional Disabled Persons Association, I would like to thank you for your consideration in making your facility accessible to all. Sincerely, Marian Arcand, Coordinator, Regional Disabled Persons Association.
Member Bob Jadis brought his Model T Ford to the Museum and was able to capture this picture with the WACO INF. Vintage at it’s best.
ADVERTISING RATES 1/4 page. ….$50.00 ..$75.00 CLASSIFIEDS Why pay more! GROUND LEVEL UNITS 1/2 page… Full page…. ..$100.00 50 words or less Members General………..$15.00 …….. $10.00 Your ads will assist the Museum Programs and introduce your product to our membership. COMPETITIVE RATES YOUR LOCK-YOUR KEY – ALL UNITS JUST YOUR SIZE BUDGET MINI STORAGE 521-3636 HEATED STORAGE AVAILABLE For all your Storage needs VISA & MASTERCARD RESIDENT MANAGER Coquitlam, B.C. 163 Schoolhouse Street Come see the new items arriving daily at the Museum’s Gift Shop W-W-1 Gero Leonard E. Opdyoke, Editor THE JOURNAL OF THE EARLY AEROPLANE Crescent Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, USA (914) 473-3679