Chalk Swap Gliders for Heavy Artillery

One weekend in September, Chalk members Andy and myself took part in a 21 gun salute to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

We joined forces with the Garrison to become crew members on a 25 pounder field gun for the day! Throughout the year we both attended training days to learn how to operate and handle one of these 2 ton beasts. Initially the salute was to take place in the centre of Leeds but due to a logistical error (no advertising or somesuch nonsense), it was in danger of being cancelled completely until the decision was made to continue at a local pub, 'The New Inn' in Eccup near Leeds.

There were three 25 pounder guns, with limbers and towing vehicles for each gun plus a Jeep, an Austin Tilly Mk1 and a Matchless Motorcycle. Each gun had a full crew of five men plus driver and seven shots were fired by each gun in front of special guest the Lord Lieutenant of Leeds.

As usual with such a large undertaking as this (the first time three 25pdr guns have fired a 21 gun salute for many years) there were bound to be some mistakes, but I'm glad to say the whole affair went without a hitch! All the gun teams worked brilliantly together and the final effect was... DEAFENING!!

Please check out our photos, as I was part of the gun crew I was unable to take any pictures of the actual firing, but I'm told there are some in existence somewhere and when I get hold of them I'll be sure to share them with you. Cheers all. Matt

New 4th Parachute Brigade HQ Website

This informative new site has just been started and deals with the 4th Parachute Brigade Head Quarters during their time in Arnhem.

The site contains war diaries, nominal roll, regular news updates and even a virtual battlefield tour. Why not check it out and visit it often? Matt

Link: 4th Parachute Brigade HQ

Cumbria's Military Museum's Waco Glider Project

After finding the front section of a Waco CG-4 / Hadrian glider near Kirby Lonsdale in 1993, Cumbria's Military Museum have made considerable progress restoring a large part of the glider for inclusion in the Museum's new location of the Alma Block at Carlisle Castle.

Take a look at the project's Facebook page where you can see plenty of photographs of the restoration plus regular updates.

Link: Waco Glider Project

Found in May 1993 near Kirkby Lonsdale the front section of a WACO CG-4 Hadrian glider.

Artist's impression of the WACO CG-4 Glider in postion in the new museum

Operation Plunder Reenactment - 2010 Photo!

I was just looking through some old folders of photos we've done in the past and came across this one of me doing PBI for an Operation Varsity/Plunder photoshoot that we did when we were part of VERA (Victory in Europe Reenactment Association) along with Thunder From Heaven. 

I always kind of liked this photo, I know its not a Glider Pilot but it has a certain something. Hopefully we'll be doing a shoot to remember Varsity/Plunder next March - watch this space.

Edit: I took the liberty of adding a couple more pics. Matt

Remember Arnhem - Victory Show 2012

Here are our photo's of the this year's Victory Show, I do have a couple more that I'll post when I get a minute.

Victory Show This Weekend!

Ok, so we're all ready for Victory Show this weekend. Been looking forward to this one since, well since last year! If you're going along then come and find us to say hello, we might even have our famous kettle on.

Matt