Airspeed AS.51 Horsa

Airspeed AS.58 Horsa

A high-wing military transport glider with accommodation for 25 troops or freight, including vehicles, of wooden construction. The prototype first flew in September 1941 and the production AS.51 Horsa I entered service in late 1942.

The AS.58 Horsa II differed from the Mk I by having a hinged nose section to allow ease of loading.

The first operational mission with Horsas was the invasion of Sicily in 1943, but they were also used during the D-day landings, when Horsa gliders were towed by Whitley and C-47 aircraft.