Prangs at Tarrant Rushton
'C' Squadron were breaking new ground at Tarrant Rushton. Such an aircraft as the Hamilcar carrying such loads had never been dreamed of before. It would have been a miracle if there were no mishaps in training and readying for combat; Tarrant Rushton saw its share. Below are detailed the incidents we have uncovered to date and where the gliders were damaged beyond repair (DBR).
There were plenty of other 'incidents'. For example, on 24 January 1944, Hamilcar LA 633 was force landed, but it collected, repaired and we know it was flying again on 14 May that year.
There were plenty of other 'incidents'. For example, on 24 January 1944, Hamilcar LA 633 was force landed, but it collected, repaired and we know it was flying again on 14 May that year.
Date |
Aircraft |
Incident |
17 Dec 43 |
Horsa |
Over ran landing and crashed. |
20 Jan 44 |
HH961 Hamilcar |
Over shot and hit Nissen hut during EXERCISE MANITOBA |
21 Jan 44 |
DR858 Hamilcar |
Damaged Beyond Repair by tank leaving glider |
01 March 44 |
LA647 Hamilcar |
1HGSU tug lost power - cut loose & fell into sunken lane nr Blandford |
15 March 44 |
Horsa |
Crashed into Nissen Hut landing |
16 March 44 |
Horsa |
Forced landing nr Westbury |
17 April 44 |
NX874 Hamilcar |
1HGSU Tug burst tyre on take-off . Hamilcar cut loose & hit Halifax NA115 |
19 April 44 |
DR859 Hamilcar |
Under shot & hit power cables |
23 April 44 |
LA648 Hamilcar |
Over shot & hit tree |
25 April 44 |
LA649 Hamilcar |
1HGSU Under shot hit tree |
26 April 44 |
LA643 Hamilcar |
1HGSU Flaps jammed, during heavy landing |
13 May 44 |
LH520 Horsa |
Over shot landing & hit a Halifax("QQ"). 1 killed |
22 May 44 |
Hamilcar |
Over ran landing, under carriage collapsed |
25 May 44 |
HH972 Hamilcar |
Under shot and hit obstruction |
27 May 44 |
LL346 /E Halifax V |
644Sq Took off towing a Hamilcar glider, failed to gain height, abandoned glider and crashed in Ashley Wood, Tarrant Keyneston |
27 May 44 |
LA634 Hamilcar |
1HGSU Forced landing 1 mile west of Tarrant Rushton after tug cast off |
30 May 44 |
Horsa |
Crashed at Moor Critchell on training flight from Tarrant Rushton |
30 May 44 |
Horsa |
Crashed at Shapwick on training flight |
30 May 44 |
Horsa |
Crashed at Spettisbury on training flight from Tarrant Rushton |
18 June 44 |
Horsa |
Crashed at end of RW01 Tarrant Rushton. |
26 July 44 |
RJ262 Horsa |
Overshot landing Tarrant Rushton and hit Halifax"AG" 298SQ. |
13 Nov 44 |
HH966 Hamilcar |
1HGMU tow broke and crash landed nr Spettisbury |
18 Jan 45 |
LA683 Hamilcar |
1HGSU DBR in gale Tarrant Rushton |
18 Jan 45 |
LA727 Hamilcar |
1HGSU DBR in gale Tarrant Rushton |
18 Jan 45 |
LA684 Hamilcar |
1HGSU DBR in gale Tarrant Rushton |
18 Jan 45 |
LA713 Hamilcar |
1HGSU DBR in gale Tarrant Rushton |
18 Jan 45 |
HH968 Hamilcar |
1HGSU DBR in gale Tarrant Rushton |
11 February 45 |
LA737 Hamilcar |
Tow broke-hit trees. Force landed 2 miles West of Tarrant Rushton |
04 March 44 |
LA635 Hamilcar |
1HGSU Under shot and hit LA708 & LA736 |
09 March 1945 |
LA646 Hamilcar |
Under shot landing |
05 April 44 |
LA742 Hamilcar |
1HGSU Under shot & crashed in woods |
10 April 45 |
NX824 Hamilcar |
1HGSU Under shot & crashed |
11 April 45 |
RR924 Hamilcar |
1HGSU Stalled on approach |
12 April 45 |
NX838 Hamilcar |
Tyre burst on take off - cast off and overturned 1 Mile West of Tarrant Rushton |
