Pegasus Bridge - How Far/High Was the Glide?

seems like the gliders at Pegasus Bridge did an amazing job of landing so close, so well to the bridge, at NIGHT with NO power... how far/high was the glide??

 

6000ft over the coast between Cabourg and Ranville - about 6 km out

 

Quite a feat. The landings were a tad rough though. Rendering some pilots unconscious and a glider busting in half.

I forget, did they overshoot the landing or was it objects unaccounted for?

 

I thought they landed right near the bridge..any closer they would've been on it..released 6km out?? yes, quite the feat --and had only 1 chance to accomplish it!!! thanks for info Shel and all replies...

 

Attached pic of how close to the bridge that the Glider came to rest.

 

Thank you. That answered my question regarding the culprit of the damage.

 

My estimate was wrong. It is The release distance is based on the glide ratio and retaining enough energy (altitude) to be able make a minor correction while not having too much to dump.

Speeds for a fully loaded Horsa I were:
Stalling speed, flaps up: 69mph
Stalling speed, flaps down: 55mph
Gliding speed, flaps up: 85mph
Gliding speed, flaps half down: 75mph
Landing speed: 75-80mph.Landing speeds when empty was only 60mph. Glide ratio was about 1:5 with the flaps down. (http://www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-380461.html)

So one ft down for ever 5 travelled => fly for 30,000 ft to descend 6,000 ft. My estimate of 6km is only n60% of the distance. The glider was released closer to 9 km out than 6km.

video of gliders practicing here http://www.britishpathe.com/video/british-gliders-and-planes-landing.

 

picture worth a thousands words...much thanks...I'd say that was ...aa um..........right on target !!!!

 

Shel, that's why I ask here--concise answers/information...ty

 

You could do worse than get a copy of The Orne Bridgehead by Lloyd Clark, it will answer all your Q's about the opeartion. It shouldn't cost you much for a second hand copy...

 

crash speed meaning landing speed , I take it ?? 75mph?....WOW! not slow at all ...much thanks...very interesting fact

 

thanks Drew..any estimate of glider's distance from nose to road?? 80 yards?

 

http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=Lloyd+Clark&sts=t&tn=The+Orne+Bridgehead

 

This photo is a big one and is located at the Pegasus Museum. I took this photo, of the photo on a small, outside billboard when we visited the Museum last July. Similar to the ones posted above.



The original bridge was saved and is located at the Museum. It's about 200 yards away from its original location. The Museum itself was amazing.



That have a replica of one of the Horsa/RAF gliders. It was bigger than I had imagined.

 

they don't look too airworthy....

 

The Horsa was very airworthy and a strong design unlike the WACO where a disturbing number came apart in the air under tow. The Pilots for this op were carefully selected and trained relentlessely at this landing. Unfortunately the ground was a little rougher than initially thought. A brilliant feat of airmanship relying on timed legs and turns.
Al

 

much thanks for your reply....yes, I would think the tow plane was extremely important in 'control' on the glider...if erratic tow, more stress?

 

Visited Pegasus a few weeks ago. It does take your breath away to think of the bravery of those men.