robinbird
ACCESS: Confidential
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- 26 October 2021
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Dad spent 1943 at Sherburn-in-Elemet photographing top secret trials of gliders for major landings such as Operation Varsity on this day March 24 1945. The secret trials were not so much about the gliders but how they handled carrying troops, panniers , field guns and even tanks (in Hamilcars). There were several crashes including the early prototype Horsa DG604 that landed off airfield, hit a mound and scattered onlookers. The Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment at Sherburn also had Britain's first Dakota a big improvement as a tow aircraft and carrier. I am lucky to have many of his photographs ( circa Official Secrets Act) from that time including Robert Kronfeld who was probably the best glider pilot in the World.