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Britain's Airspeed Horsa glider^1,2

Airspeed Horsa glider:	Airspeed Horsa glider:	Airspeed Horsa glider:	Airspeed Horsa glider in Normandy on June 6, 1944:
Airspeed Horsa glider:

Design

After witnessing the German airborne assaults in the 1940s a specification was put forth for a glider.¹ The AS.51 Horsa was to fill the rolls for carrying troops, freight, or training.¹

Since many of the potential towing planes of the time were two engined, the Horsa couldn't be made too large.¹ The primary tugs were the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, Armstrong Whitworth Albermarle, and the four engined Handley Page Halifax.¹

The Horsa was made from wood.^1,2

Undercarriage

After takeoff the main wheels of the tricycle undercarriage were jettisoned and landings were made on the nose wheel and a skid.^1,2

Fuselage

There was a large door on the port side.¹ The rear of the fuselage was also detachable.¹

Controls

There was a compressed air system to lower the flaps.¹

Prototype

The Horsa prototype was first flown on September 12, 1941.¹

Production

• Airspeed Prototypes: 7¹
• Airspeed Mk I: 2,231¹
  • by Airspeed: 470¹
  • by Austin: 300¹
  • by Harris Lebus: 1,461¹
• Airspeed Mk II: 1,561¹
  • by Airspeed: 225¹
  • by Austin: 65¹
  • by Harris Lebus: 1,271¹
• Total: 3,655², 3,799¹
  • Manufacturer: Airspeed Ltd.²

There were plans to build the Horsa by Tata Industries in India, but that was dropped.¹

Variants

• Horsa Mk I: Troop carrier.¹ Had brackets on wings for a split tow rope.¹
• Horsa Mk II: Freight carrier.¹ Was a single attachment under the nose for the tow rope.¹ Had a hinged nose section that could be opened by a hinge just behind the cockpit.¹

Usage

First Use of the Horsa

There was a special mission in Normandy in November 1942 where it was first used.¹

Horsas in Sicily

Horsas were used in the invasion of Sicily in 1943.^1,2

Normandy Invasion

The British and Americans both used Horsas during the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.^1,2

Arnhem Debacle

Horsas were used extensively in the Arnhem operation.^1,2

Over the Rhine

Over 400/440² Horsa gliders were used in the attack over the Rhine by the 6th Airborne Division.^1,2

	Airspeed Horsa1,2
Type	Glider1, Transport glider2
Crew	21,2
Passengers	20 - 252, 251
Engine (Type)	None
Dimensions
Span	88'1,2 26.82 m1
Length	67'1,2 20.42 m1
Height	19' 6"1 5.94 m1
Wing area
Weight
Empty	8,370 lb1 3,797 kg1
Loaded	15,250 lb2, 15,500 lb1 7,030 kg1
Performance
Typical towing speed	127 mph1 204 kph1
Maximum towing speed	150 mph1 240 kph1
Gliding speed	100 mph1,2 160 kph1
Climb
Service ceiling
Range
Armament	None

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
2. World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976

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