Десантные планеры Airspeed Horsa и General Aircraft Hamilcar перед вторжением на континент были сосредоточены на британской авиабазе Тарант-Раштон, графство Дорсет. Также видны самолеты Halifax Mk V из 298-й и 644-й эскадрилий - буксировщики данных планеров.
A well-used but memorable aerial view of Tarrant Rushton on the evening of June 6, 1944. More than 30 Halifaxes are positioned to tow out a similar number of Hamilcars, plus a couple of Horsas, for the D-Day landings. The Germans expected the Hamilcars to be carrying troops until they saw the first arrivals land and unload!

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942Handley Page Halifax A/C / Halton - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

In its day the Hamilcar was the largest production wooden aircraft in the world. The unlaiden eight-ton glider weighed 16 tons fully loaded and had a towing speed of 150 m.p.h.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

A seven-ton Tetrarch light tank being reversed very carefully into the all-wood Hamilcar.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

A T-9 light tank secured inside a Hamilcar.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

A Hamilcar disgorges a T-19 Locust tank. Note the way the glider’s undercarriage “crouches” to bring the nose down almost to ground level.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

The prototype Hamilcar undertow. The towline was bifurcated to pick up on quick-release hooks on the centre-section spar.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Built to Specification 27/40, the GAL 50 was a half-scale prototype of the Hamilcar. This photograph, dated September 1941, shows it bearing Class B markings T-0227.
Two views of the half-scale Hamilcar test model. The GAL 50 T-0227 is pictured in September 1941. Later it became DP226. The lower photograph gives a better indication of the glider’s small size.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Just like the M25 motorway: Hamilcars nose-to-tail awaiting take-off.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Prototype GAL Hamilcar DP206 photographed in March 1942. The first production batch of ten Hamilcar Is was delivered during November and December 1942.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

R. E. Poulton's cutaway drawing of the Hamilcar was originally published in Flight on December 14, 1944.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Aircraft Hamilcar / GAL.49 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942