Pegasus Plaque (arnhem) question

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by ahaley, Oct 7, 2007.

  1. ahaley

    ahaley Junior Member

    My Grandad had an oblong two-sided plaque (about 3x6 inches), made from Aluminium (I think) with an image of Pegasus on one side, and an inscription on the other. He was an aircraft fitter for De Havilland at Broughton during WW2, and I'm wondering if they had something to do with the gliders at Arnhem? Sadly the plaque was stolen some years ago, but I'd really like to know its history, and perhaps find a replacement.

    I've Googled but without success, so any clues?
     
  2. kfz

    kfz Very Senior Member

    The closest I can find is British Aerospace Chester has sprts and social. See if you can get in touch with some of their old boys, their bound to have some old boys on the books who remember.

    If you Grandad was an employee then try contacting HR. See if you can get some info there

    Kev
     
  3. CROONAERT

    CROONAERT Ipsissimus

    There were special souvenir "tickets" produced in a limited number for the film "Theirs is the Glory" upon its release (in ? 1946?) that match the description you have given. These "tickets" were made from glider aluminium and were individually numbered.

    Sounds like a possibility?

    Dave.

    (PS replicas have recently been made, so you might be in luck)
     
  4. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Would agree with Dave, it sounds like one of the souvenirs for the film. Copies often turn up on eBay.
     
  5. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    Just to say that if you do see one for sale be careful... a reproduction ticket was down for the special DVD issued for the 60th anniversary of the film Theirs is the Glory in 2006......
     
  6. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    I have seen three versions of this 'ticket'. One, as AM quite rightly points out, was produced in 2006 to coincide with the re-release of the movie on DVD but the other two are a bit of a mystery. They are identical except that on the rear of one of them it shows where the premiers were held ie Britain, Canada and Holland. Both of these look as if they could have been produced around 1946 but I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on why they are different?? :unsure:
    I have attached pics of all three types.
    All the best............
     

    Attached Files:

  7. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi Paul,

    First one looks like the real thing second a repro same with the third...

    Cheers
    Tom
     
  8. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    1946 version has 2 types
     
  9. ronald

    ronald Senior Member

    Philip could be right, as far as I know they were given to invited guests at the premiere, maybe that's number 2.
     
  10. James Daly

    James Daly Senior Member

    The De Havilland connection might be that DH took over Airspeed - manufacturers of the Horsa Glider - after the war. might just be a coincidence however
     
  11. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    If I remember correctly Bae had an Historical Society and may also be of help which was based at Warton
    Worth a call or email.

    Warton - BAE Systems

    • Warton Aerodrome
      Preston
      Lancashire
      PR4 1AX
      United Kingdom
    • Telephone: +44 (0) 1772 633333
    • Fax: +44 (0) 1772 634724
    • Map: Google Map Reference


    Regards
    Tom
     
  12. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    1946 version has 2 types

    Hi Philip,
    Any idea as to why two different versions were produced and who got which version??
    All the best,
    Paul..........
     
  13. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    As far as I know only those who took part,relatives of KIA/MIA and invited quest got one, maybe someone at his work was one of above, and that's the way he obtained it.
     
  14. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Never heard of that before. Nor my friends. For they worked at the Supermarine: making Spitfires. They never had a memento.
    I have one for working on the original Concorde. Its a small key ring object, with a picture of the French Concorde on one side, and the Words Concorde on the other, it is a miniature knife one side and tiny screwdriver the other ..All in stainless steel. kept it on my key ring for many years.
    Sapper
     
  15. ProudofDad

    ProudofDad New Member

    Have just found your forum after rooting out this plaque after lots of talk on the radio about Pegasus Bridge thought I must know more......
    I have my Dad's medals from WW2 (He sadly died in 2009 aged 91 ) ) amongst the medals is the aluminium plaque from Pegasus Bridge glider...the version I have has NO inscription regarding the film only the inscription starting "This souvenir ticket was made of metal from one of the crashed gliders" ...etc finishing with the date "September 17th 1944" and for as long as I can remember it has been with him since end of war. Where he got it from we do not know..
    As a curious child in the late 50's ( I was born very curious in 1951..) I would always ask " What did you do in the war Daddy?" He certainly had some tales to tell but I don't recall anything about the plaque.. I would love to know more about it.?
    He was in REME. and went through European theatre right up to Arnhem and Nijmegen...he sadly lost his sight in the last days of the war to methol alcohol poisoning. (adulterated wine left behind by enemy?)

    Nice to talk to you..
    Sue G
     
  16. Aeronut

    Aeronut Junior Member

    I'm intregued by the description of these plaques being made of aluminium from Horsa gliders as there was very little aluminum used in the construction of the Horsa and Hamilcar. The majority of metal in these gliders was steel, both mild and stainless whilst the rest of the airframe was commercial grade plywood, not even marine grade let alone aviation grade.
     
  17. TowRope

    TowRope Junior Member

    Wouldn't take that many Horsa main wheels to provide enough aluminium to produce those tickets ;)
     
  18. Aeronut

    Aeronut Junior Member

    Tow Rope.

    Agreed, trrouble is I've spent far too long sorting through and identifying recovered airframe parts of Horsa and Hamilcar gliders that I totally forgot about the wheels. Wrists now slapped.
     
  19. HighTow

    HighTow Junior Member

    Maybe they melted down all of the data plates ;)
     

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