This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Mon Sep 05, 2016 12:47 pm
Shows detailed glider ops and tests of glider tugs C54 B25 P38 and i think B17
https://youtu.be/NZB5Q2KnvpM
Tue Sep 06, 2016 8:52 am
I haven't seen this one before. Really superb overview of the three primary navaids employed by Pathfinders: GEE; 717C/BUPS and REBECCA-EUREKA begins at 17:22.
Post mission survey also listed Dead Reckoning and Pilotage as quantifiable aids to navigation.
Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:45 am
This video is excellent and shows a lot of details by compiling various films. The various tugs pulling the CG-4A gliders was an exhibition at L-M in NC. Part of this exhibition was Mike Murphy's "Pea Patch" show at night. Some of the tug pilots and glider pilots for this exhibition were from Wright Field and CCAAF as well as Murphy's students at L-M. The flights were exhibitions, not tests, of the various tugs.
Testing had already been done at the glider test field, Clinton County Army Air Field, Wilmington, Ohio. The A-25, B-17, B-23, B-24, B-25, C-46, C-47, C-53, C-54, C-60, P-38 and the PBY or whatever it was were tested as tugs at CCAAF and proper engine and exhaust and propeller settings for towing were determined. Using the PBY as tug was to be considered emergency only and not used under normal conditions.
In these videos you will hear that some tugs flew before the CG-4A. This was a forced condition. The glider pilot had to fly the glider on the ground or close to ground until after that tug was flying so as to not force the tug-tail up and cause it to fly into the ground.