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A German DFS 230 after it landed troops during the Gran Sasso raid, September 12, 1943. The Germans were the first to use gliders in warfare, most famously during the assault of the Eben Emael fortress and the capture of the bridges over the Albert Canal at Veldwezelt, Vroenhoven and Kanne on May 10, 1940, in which 41 DFS 230 gliders carrying 10 soldiers each were launched behind Junkers Ju 52s.
No. 644 Squadron RAF was a unit in 38 Group of the Royal Air Force during World War II which undertook glider-towing and supply dropping missions as well being employed in the paratroop role. History [ edit ]
The first test tow flight took place on November 6, 1943. The second version, XCG-10A, increased seating capacity to 42 and added a rear loading door. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Cargo capacity was up to 6 short tons (5.4 t).
The glider was the German inspiration for the British Hotspur glider and was intended for airborne assault operations. In addition to the pilot, the DFS-230 glider had room for nine men who sat close together on a narrow bench located in the middle of the fuselage (six facing forward, and four backward [ 1 ] ).
Baynes Bat, (1943) experimental glider for testing design of a tank carrying glider; General Aircraft Hamilcar, (1942) 7 t (6.9 long tons) of cargo and 2 crew. 412 built. General Aircraft Hamilcar Mk. X, Motorised version with 2x Bristol Mercury 31 of 965 hp. 22 examples converted
The Messerschmitt Me 321 Gigant was a large German cargo glider developed and used during World War II.Intended to support large-scale invasions, the Me 321 had very limited use due to the low availability of suitable tug aircraft, high vulnerability whilst in flight, and its difficult ground handling, both at base and at destination landing sites.
The first glider casualties occurred on takeoff, when two aircraft towing Waco gliders crashed. [23] While en route, one glider was released prematurely by its towing aircraft and crashed into the sea. Arriving over Sicily, having lost the element of surprise, four gliders were shot down by coastal anti-aircraft batteries. [23]
This category is for aircraft designed to tow gliders, or modified to do so. Pages in category "Glider tugs" The following 54 pages are in this category, out of 54 total.