It contains 7 pages about the use of gliders in wartime with some pretty good photos including several of serving glider pilots and RAF ground crew.
CHALK are a small World War 2 living history group based in the North of England. Our primary portrayal is the Glider Pilot Regiment 1942-45.
Sunday, 29 December 2013
1945 Aeronautics Magazine
A recent addition to the Chalk reference library is this copy of Aeronautics from January 1945.
It contains 7 pages about the use of gliders in wartime with some pretty good photos including several of serving glider pilots and RAF ground crew.
It contains 7 pages about the use of gliders in wartime with some pretty good photos including several of serving glider pilots and RAF ground crew.
Friday, 27 December 2013
Original Hadrian Glider Pilots Notes
Original glider Pilots Notes can sometimes be hard to come across but when I saw this little beauty on Ebay recently I just had to have it!
I've seen original WACO Pilots Notes before now but to find a set of British Pilots Notes especially in the guise of HADRIAN meant I had to make a financial sacrifice and dig deep!
As you can see from the photos the condition isn't too bad considering its age. The notes themselves were reprinted in India in 1944 - the Waco/Hadrian proved itself well in the Burma campaign, the Horsa didn't fair well in the humidity and heat. The notes are named on the front cover to F/O M Pennington (or maybe Pinnington?) and there are pen markings throughout (as a collector this is always something I like).
I just have to find original Horsa and Hamilcar notes now... oh and Hotspur...!
I've seen original WACO Pilots Notes before now but to find a set of British Pilots Notes especially in the guise of HADRIAN meant I had to make a financial sacrifice and dig deep!
As you can see from the photos the condition isn't too bad considering its age. The notes themselves were reprinted in India in 1944 - the Waco/Hadrian proved itself well in the Burma campaign, the Horsa didn't fair well in the humidity and heat. The notes are named on the front cover to F/O M Pennington (or maybe Pinnington?) and there are pen markings throughout (as a collector this is always something I like).
I just have to find original Horsa and Hamilcar notes now... oh and Hotspur...!
Troops Who Fly By Night Poster
I've been after this particular poster for many moons now, and have only ever come across originals which are usually in worn condition and fetch prices of £150 upwards!
Finally I managed to find a reproduction for a far more acceptable price at the 1940's Society! The original poster was part of a set produced during the war to encourage the purchasing of Savings Stamps. 'Soldiers at Sea' and 'Guns Behind the British Barrage' were other subjects covered amongst others.
I bought the poster which was delivered quickly and well packaged and then had it affixed to 15mm MDF, laminated and black edged which I can then hang on the wall rather than having the whole thing framed and glazed.
Link: 1940 Society
Finally I managed to find a reproduction for a far more acceptable price at the 1940's Society! The original poster was part of a set produced during the war to encourage the purchasing of Savings Stamps. 'Soldiers at Sea' and 'Guns Behind the British Barrage' were other subjects covered amongst others.
I bought the poster which was delivered quickly and well packaged and then had it affixed to 15mm MDF, laminated and black edged which I can then hang on the wall rather than having the whole thing framed and glazed.
Link: 1940 Society
Original GPR Wings
Its not always easy, and can be costly, to add original items to the collection. A lot of our display items, especially uniforms are high quality reproductions including much of the insignia.
However, recently, I happened to be in the right place at the right financial moment to purchase three pairs of First Pilots wings and one pair of Second Pilots wings (not all in one go I hasten to add). Two of the First Pilots wings are of regular size and are in excellent although worn condition, one pair are of a far smaller size - for wear on dress uniform? (if anyone can enlighten me then please do) - the Second Pilots wings are also relatively small but are in superb condition.
I'm always on the look out for original GPR items so if you have anything or come across anything that I haven't seen then please do shout out! Cheers!
However, recently, I happened to be in the right place at the right financial moment to purchase three pairs of First Pilots wings and one pair of Second Pilots wings (not all in one go I hasten to add). Two of the First Pilots wings are of regular size and are in excellent although worn condition, one pair are of a far smaller size - for wear on dress uniform? (if anyone can enlighten me then please do) - the Second Pilots wings are also relatively small but are in superb condition.
I'm always on the look out for original GPR items so if you have anything or come across anything that I haven't seen then please do shout out! Cheers!
Not Many Of Us Left by Hugh Carling
Although the Chalk library has pretty much all the titles relating to the Glider Pilot Regiment there are, of course, several which are rare, out of print and simply too expensive to sit on the shelves alongside the others.
One of these titles was 'Not Many Of Us Left' by former Glider Pilot Sergeant Hugh Carling. However, with the help of Glyn at Glynsbooks (see link below) a copy was found and now resides shoulder to shoulder with the likes of 'Arnhem Lift', 'Nothing Is Impossible', 'Nine Days' and many others.
The book follows Hugh's progress from pre-war civvy street to him joining the Army at the outbreak of war, his service in North Africa and his eventual volunteering for the GPR and all that brought with it. The book is an excellent read and gives a good insight in to the life of just one of the men who flew gliders into battle. There are very few photographs and one or two minor incorrect details but overall this is a worthy addition to the research assets for the group. If you can find a copy, then get it!
One of these titles was 'Not Many Of Us Left' by former Glider Pilot Sergeant Hugh Carling. However, with the help of Glyn at Glynsbooks (see link below) a copy was found and now resides shoulder to shoulder with the likes of 'Arnhem Lift', 'Nothing Is Impossible', 'Nine Days' and many others.
The book follows Hugh's progress from pre-war civvy street to him joining the Army at the outbreak of war, his service in North Africa and his eventual volunteering for the GPR and all that brought with it. The book is an excellent read and gives a good insight in to the life of just one of the men who flew gliders into battle. There are very few photographs and one or two minor incorrect details but overall this is a worthy addition to the research assets for the group. If you can find a copy, then get it!
Link: Glynsbooks
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Chalk at RAF Shawbury Assault Glider Trust Pt 2
Following on from our display at RAF Shawbury on Friday 26th July, I'd like to share with you a photograph of a very special visitor taken by Richard Head of the Assault Glider Trust.
We were fortunate enough to spend some time with 6th Airborne veteran Godfrey Yardley. Godfrey was with 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and took part in Operation Varsity, the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945. He was great to talk to and was able to tell us all about his time with 6th Airborne and how the operation went for him, in return we were able to show him some of our weapons and equipment!
We were fortunate enough to spend some time with 6th Airborne veteran Godfrey Yardley. Godfrey was with 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and took part in Operation Varsity, the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945. He was great to talk to and was able to tell us all about his time with 6th Airborne and how the operation went for him, in return we were able to show him some of our weapons and equipment!
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| Chalk members Andy and Matt with Godfrey and the AGT Horsa in the background. July 2013. |
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Glider Pilot Regiment Memorial Dedication Service - 11th September 2013
Wednesday 11th September 2013 saw the Memorial Dedication Service for at the National Arboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire.
The memorial itself is a stone from the people of Renkum in Holland to mark the sacrifice the Glider Pilot Regiment made as part of Operation Market Garden in September 1944.
The service went without a hitch with many veterans and families attending.
Prior to the service I'd been asked by the GPRA to design an advert, invite and order of service for the event, something I was honoured to do and as I was unable to attend the service in person it was a nice way of still being involved.
The memorial itself is a stone from the people of Renkum in Holland to mark the sacrifice the Glider Pilot Regiment made as part of Operation Market Garden in September 1944.
The service went without a hitch with many veterans and families attending.
Prior to the service I'd been asked by the GPRA to design an advert, invite and order of service for the event, something I was honoured to do and as I was unable to attend the service in person it was a nice way of still being involved.
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| The designs we prepared for the Memorial Service. |
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| Photo courtesy of Steve Wright - The Glider Pilot Regiment Facebook page. 2013. |
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| Maj. Steve Elsey, project organiser. Photo courtesy of Steve Wright - The Glider Pilot Regiment Facebook page. 2013. |
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| Photo courtesy of Steve Wright - The Glider Pilot Regiment Facebook page. 2013. |
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| Photo courtesy of Steve Wright - The Glider Pilot Regiment Facebook page. 2013. |
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| Photo courtesy of Steve Wright - The Glider Pilot Regiment Facebook page. 2013. |
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