robinbird

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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.
 
AFEE Horsa prototype at Sherburn also home to the Flying Jeep
 

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I believe this aircraft FD943 was Britain's first RAF Dakota and much better for purpose than existing aircraft used by our airborne forces. FD943 dropped supplies to trapped British troops in Burma during 1944 but I do no what happened to it afterwards.
 
Incidentally there was so much top secret stuff going on at Sherburn in Elmet during 1943 it contrasted with Blackburn at Sherburn churning out obsolete Swordfish. Dad said the rumour was that aircraft were built then taken apart to maintain the Government contract. A fairey tale for sure but W5856 still survives as the oldest example.
 
Another of dad's photographs. (Bob Bird) bird's eye view of a Jeep and container drop. N.B. aircraft's armed gun turrets probably borrowed from operational squadron. AFEE aircraft not usually armed like this unless on weapon trials. At least one Jeep was wrecked in trials, so AFEE opted to transport Jeeps in large Horsa gliders. The Flying Jeep programme was abandoned.
 

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