Dimensions included a length of 67 feet, a wingspan of 88 feet and a height of 19.5 feet. Empty weight was listed at 8,370lbs with a loaded weight topping 15,500lbs. Due to its towed existence, the Horsa was limited in its performance specifications. Top speeds reached up to 150 miles per hour with gliding speeds near 100 miles per hour or less.
In practice, the Horsa was assisted in large part by a host aircraft which was powered. The glider was attached by way of strong cables joining the two aircraft from take-off to flight. From there, glider pilots attempted to keep their aircraft in tune with the host until near the drop zone. Once detached, the glider crew managed the aircraft down to the best of their abilities - sometimes under clear unassuming skies and other times under direct enemy gunfire.
Production of the AS.51 began in earnest during 1942 which resulted in over 2,300 units being made available by the target delivery month. During testing, the gliders initially showcased structural faults when attempting to haul more than just personnel and these were rectified as quickly as possible, adding the much-needed capability of carrying light artillery systems and even 4x4 vehicles. Early use saw the types in action over North Africa and, in November of 1942, during the Norway campaign with mixed results. Regardless, the aircraft soldiered on in the British inventory and saw additional service in such key operations as Operation Husky, the Normandy Invasion and Operation Market Garden. Market Garden alone utilized over 1,200 glider aircraft in General Montgomery's famous multi-pronged assault intended to end the war by Christmas 1944. The British military fielded the AS.51 across its Glider Pilot Regiment of the Army Air Corps and No. 670 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Four major designations were ultimately tied to the Horsa legacy including the initial Mk I models. The AS.58 Mk II was a modified form with a hinged nose for easier loading/unloading and its tow cables now connected at the two-wheeled nose leg. The AS.52 was a proposed "bomber" form with provision for ordnance but was never furthered. Similarly, the AS.53 fell by the wayside and was intended as a more evolved Mk I.
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