All, Been strugling to figure out what the weight is shown on this sign on the instrument panel of the Horsa. It's taken from the pilots notes. Does anyone maybe have a clearer photo that shows it? I know there are a couple of pictures taken at the HGCU at Brize Norton around 1943 looking into the cockpit (with Cliff W. sat in the pilots seat?) where it's visible but I don't have any high-res versions. Shawbury put 150 lbs on their panel but no matter how much I look at the original photo of the plaque, that third figure looks like a 3 or a 5 to me. Looking at the ammendments to the loading charts: * July 1942 the standard loading charts for a Horsa stated that when flown by a single pilot in the tare condition 9 x 17½lb weights had to be on the pegs which comes to 157½lb. * April 1943 it's still 157½ lbs. * Feb 1944 the loading chart states 6 x 17½ weights making 105lbs. There was also Mod 24 which covers the plaque but of course, the specifications for it are lost... Any help appreciated. I've uploaded the best picture I have plus a reversed version which helps a bit with clarity.
If my Memory serves me correctly there is a Horsa displayed at Middle Wallop Museum. Perhaps some member may have a photograph including the Plaque. The Museum has a contact email address. For research and photograph requests please email archivist@flying-museum.org.uk Regards Tom
All, Well aware of Middle Wallop, know a number of staff, Peter and Susan well and their exhibits. I hadn't asked Peter yet if they had a pic in the archives yet as he's usually backed up and it was just on the off chance someone here had a picture showing it. As I stated in my original post - yes, Shawbury used "150" but there are a number of aspects of Shawbury's cockpit that aren't technically/historically correct and with all due respect to them, I need a reliable primary source/evidence. I commented that in the AP photo it looks like 1?5 to me but time-line wise the photo was taken *before* the ballast was dropped to 105 from 157½ lbs. Horsapassenger - that's Mod.181 you're referring to not Mod 24. You getting the Mod and Logbook numbers mixed up.
High Tow Sorry If you look at the page from which the original picture was taken you'll see that it is shown as Modification 24, List 181
Your list is transposed one column to the right. If you look at the actual modification sheet you can see all the details at the top.
Ah well, thanks for looking (it's one of the few mod sheets I don't have). I know the dimensions, typeface and even the machine the plaque was engraved on but typical - not the working
Hmm, well this took a little longer than expected... like two years No mention of weight at all on this version of the plate so might be a better option?. WARNING IF AIRCRAFT IS FLOWN IN TARE OR LIGHT CONDITION BOTH PILOTS SEATS MUST BE OCCUPIED OR EQUIVALENT BALLAST OR LOAD CARRIED IN FRONT OF CABIN. FOR AMOUNT REQUIRED SEE LOADING INSTRUCTIONS. Source:- 'Their's Is The Glory' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3e6S8rg9_c @13.48 mins Hope that helps
Thanks. Was aware of that variation. That's the later plaque that was updated when there were so many Horsa with so many different mod levels and configurations that one ballast value wasn't enough so they changed it to the generic wording above and you had to refer to the loading chart glued to a piece of board and mounted on the fuselage frame. Sadly the version I'm after is the original one in use around 1943 which, I'm starting to think was set at 165lbs.
I have a friend serving with 47 Air Despatch RLC at Brize; he's making a replica instrument panel for the Sergeant's Mess; don't suppose you could share the dimensions and typeface so I can pass the details on to him?
