The British reportedly also thought the paratroopers might be able to jump from their plywood Horsa gliders but one of the oft mentioned obstacles to their quick exit from that glider were the substantial internal circular beams at intervals throughout the passenger/cargo compartment. Their heavier plywood construction made the Horsa gliders more resistant to the load imbalance issues you describe the Americans encountering. BTW, most transport and bomber aircraft in the US had a load slide rule to help the aircrew identify the a/c center of gravity under different loads. I’ve seen examples of the WACO rule in the Silent Wings Museum exhibits.
I did not know that - very interesting. I have seen the load slide rule but don’t know how it works- I’ve been meaning to figure it out. I also didn’t know the bomber a/c had it but it makes perfect sense. Informative as always!
That search came up with a mix of wartime training films and later documentaries- and a training film segment showing every body in the glider wearing parachutes!
The British reportedly also thought the paratroopers might be able to jump from their plywood Horsa gliders but one of the oft mentioned obstacles to their quick exit from that glider were the substantial internal circular beams at intervals throughout the passenger/cargo compartment. Their heavier plywood construction made the Horsa gliders more resistant to the load imbalance issues you describe the Americans encountering. BTW, most transport and bomber aircraft in the US had a load slide rule to help the aircrew identify the a/c center of gravity under different loads. I’ve seen examples of the WACO rule in the Silent Wings Museum exhibits.
I did not know that - very interesting. I have seen the load slide rule but don’t know how it works- I’ve been meaning to figure it out. I also didn’t know the bomber a/c had it but it makes perfect sense. Informative as always!
Hmm, I found a wartime training film on YouTube on the B24 Bomb Loaders rule but didn’t think to search for glider related videos.
That search came up with a mix of wartime training films and later documentaries- and a training film segment showing every body in the glider wearing parachutes!
Was the Florida jump possibly associated with Camp Blanding?