Glider snatch pick-up was a technique used by the Allies of World War II to launch a military glider with a low-flying powered aircraft (the tow or tug), which did not have to land.[1]
A CG-4 Glider taking off after a snatch pickup in 1942
The snatching aircraft, typically a Douglas C-47 Skytrain ("Dakota"), had a 20ft (6m) arm hanging down at a 45-degree angle, supporting a hook at the tip. The hook was attached to a steel rope attached to an automatic winch containing 1000ft (300m) of steel cable. On flyover, the hook engaged in a square-shaped loop of a nylon tow rope supported on two poles about 20ft (6m) apart and 3ft (1m) off the ground. This loop was attached to a 180ft (55m) nylon tow rope attached to the front of the glider. The special design of the hook meant it was less likely to snag the ground but would grab the loop.
When the hook engaged in the loop, the rope initially paid out from the winch, and then gradually, a brake was automatically applied until up to about 800ft (244m) of cable had been paid out. This, and the stretch in the nylon rope, reduced shock loading to less than 1 g for a duration of around 3 to 6 seconds, by which time the glider would be airborne. The steel wire was then winched in. It was possible for one plane to pick up two gliders in this way, in two passes. Gliders could be retrieved for re-use in this way after combat operations.
Some casualties were evacuated from the D-Day landings back to the United Kingdom using this technique. Several rescues of downed aircraft passengers were also performed by landing gliders to pick up survivors and then snatching them from remote locations. [2][3]
^Mrazek, J.E. (2011). Airborne Combat: The Glider War/Fighting Gliders of WWII. Stackpole Books. p. 417. ISBN9780811744669. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
April 12, 2024
glider, snatch, pick, technique, used, allies, world, launch, military, glider, with, flying, powered, aircraft, which, have, land, glider, taking, after, snatch, pickup, 1942the, snatching, aircraft, typically, douglas, skytrain, dakota, hanging, down, degree. Glider snatch pick up was a technique used by the Allies of World War II to launch a military glider with a low flying powered aircraft the tow or tug which did not have to land 1 A CG 4 Glider taking off after a snatch pickup in 1942The snatching aircraft typically a Douglas C 47 Skytrain Dakota had a 20 ft 6 m arm hanging down at a 45 degree angle supporting a hook at the tip The hook was attached to a steel rope attached to an automatic winch containing 1000 ft 300 m of steel cable On flyover the hook engaged in a square shaped loop of a nylon tow rope supported on two poles about 20 ft 6 m apart and 3 ft 1 m off the ground This loop was attached to a 180 ft 55 m nylon tow rope attached to the front of the glider The special design of the hook meant it was less likely to snag the ground but would grab the loop When the hook engaged in the loop the rope initially paid out from the winch and then gradually a brake was automatically applied until up to about 800 ft 244 m of cable had been paid out This and the stretch in the nylon rope reduced shock loading to less than 1 g for a duration of around 3 to 6 seconds by which time the glider would be airborne The steel wire was then winched in It was possible for one plane to pick up two gliders in this way in two passes Gliders could be retrieved for re use in this way after combat operations Some casualties were evacuated from the D Day landings back to the United Kingdom using this technique Several rescues of downed aircraft passengers were also performed by landing gliders to pick up survivors and then snatching them from remote locations 2 3 See also edit1945 New Guinea Gremlin Special rescueReferences edit ESCO Arresting 31 March 2009 All American Aviation and the US Army Glider Pick ups via YouTube https www mylubbock us docs silent wings museum file library retrievalsystem pdf dead link Mrazek J E 2011 Airborne Combat The Glider War Fighting Gliders of WWII Stackpole Books p 417 ISBN 9780811744669 Retrieved 2017 01 07 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Glider snatch pick up amp oldid 1217441800, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
