Main Menu
Britain's Airspeed Horsa glider1
Airspeed Horsa glider:
Airspeed Horsa glider:
Airspeed Horsa glider:
Airspeed Horsa glider in Normandy:
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
Undercarriage
After takeoff the main wheels of the tricycle undercarriage were jettisoned and landings were made on the nose wheel and a skid.1
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: 3,7991
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
Normandy Invasion
The British and Americans both used Horsas during the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.1
Arnhem Debacle
Horsas were used extensively in the Arnhem operation.1
Over the Rhine
Over 400 Horsa gliders were used in the attack over the Rhine.1
| Airspeed Horsa1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Glider1 |
| Crew | 21 |
| Passengers | 251 |
| Engine (Type) | None |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 88'1 26.82 m1 |
| Length | 67'1 20.42 m1 |
| Height | 19' 6"1 5.94 m1 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 8,370 lb1 3,797 kg1 |
| Loaded | 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 160 kph1 |
| Climb | |
| Service ceiling | |
| Range | |
| Armament | |
| Fuselage nose | |
| Bombs under wings |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
