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Overloon War Museum acquires unique Horsa Glider

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The Overloon War Museum in The Netherlands is pleased to announce they have enquired a unique acquisition; Horsa Glider. This wooden glider that has attracted many thousands of visitors in Oosterbeek during the market garden commemorations. Today it will be transported to its final destination; War Museum Overloon in the Netherlands. This so-called Horsa Glider is a replica of the aircraft that were used during the Second World War. Although original parts were used to make it complete.

There are only two of these copies all over the world. The device comes from an RAF base in the Birmingham area. The aircraft has been in a hangar there for a long time, but now, after restoration, will be given a nice place in War Museum Overloon in the Netherlands.

Up to 1946 around four thousand Horsa Gliders were produced. None of these devices has been preserved. That is why this exact replica with original parts is a very special addition to the museum. The Horsa is twenty meters long and has a wingspan of no less than 27 meters. In the last few days, people have been working hard in Oosterbeek to dismantle the glider so that it can make its journey to Overloon today. Transporting a Horsa Glider is quite a job. The fuselage, the tail and the wings all have to be transported separately on a low-loader and therefore arrive in phases in Overloon. A team of experts will be working on the device in the coming weeks.

Where the wings in Oosterbeek could not yet be mounted, both wings are placed on the device in Overloon. Even the Royal Netherlands Air Force will do its bit to ensure that the Horsa Glider will soon be on display in full glory in the museum. From tomorrow, visitors to the museum can also take a look at this live workshop in the middle of the museum.

In November 1942, during the Second World War, Horsa gliders were used for the first time in Norway. Later they were also deployed during the invasion of Sicily, during D-Day, in large numbers during Operation Market Garden with landing zones in and around Wolfheze and Nijmegen and also with Operation Varsity. These aircraft were not only used for transporting airborne troops but also for means of transport such as jeeps, trailers, bicycles and motorcycles, but also heavy weapons such as cannons. With the arrival of these wooden gliders, troops could land close to their target.

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15,466 thoughts on “Overloon War Museum acquires unique Horsa Glider

  1. Great to see a full sized replica of the plane my dad flew on D-day and Arnhem, he never got to Arnhem towrope snapped an he landed on an island in the scheldt (maybe Goeree Overflakkee).

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