A high-wing military transport glider with accommodation for 25 troops or freight, including vehicles, of wooden construction. Designed by A.H. Tiltman to Air Ministry Spec. X26/40 The AS.51 Horsa I featured tricycle undercarriage with jettisonable main wheels, main central skid. The cantilever wing was in three pieces. Airbrakes were on the lower surfaces of the wings and pneumatically-operated split flaps were fitted.
The prototype first flew on 12 September 1941 at Great West Aerodrome 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 prototype Horsa II first flew in 1943.
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.
The US forces also received several hundred of these gliders.
Approximately 3,655 Horsas were built.
AS.51 Horsa I
Wing span: 87.992 ft / 26.82 m
Wing area: 1104.386 sq.ft / 102.6 sq.m
Length: 67.028 ft / 20.43 m
Height: 19 ft 6 in / 5.95 m
Max take off weight: 15,500 lb / 7,045 kg
Empty weight: 8372.4 lb / 3797.0 kg
Max. payload: 7131.0 lb / 3234.0 kg
Max speed: 130 kts / 241 kph
Max tow speed: 150 mph / 242 km/h
Gliding speed: 87 kts / 161 kph / 100 mph
Wing load: 14.15 lb/sq.ft / 69.0 kg/sq.m
Crew: 2
Payload: 25 troops / 3234kg
AS.58 Horsa II
Wing span: 87.992 ft / 26.82 m
Wing area: 1104.386 sq.ft / 102.6 sq.m
Length: 20.7 m / 67 ft 11 in
Height: 19 ft 6 in / 5.95 m
Loaded weight: 7144 lb / 15,750 lb
Max speed: 130 kts / 241 kph
Max tow speed: 150 mph / 242 km/h
Gliding speed: 87 kts / 161 kph / 100 mph
Wing load: 14.15 lb/sq.ft / 69.0 kg/sq.m
Crew: 2
Payload: 25 troops / 3234kg
All Aero 