Glider Challenge

Background:

Operation Deadstick. In order for the allied invasion of Normandy on 6th June 1944 to be successful, a number bridges had to be captured to stop a German counterattack, one of those bridges was 'Pegasus Bridge' which stretched across the Caen Canal, this provided an exit for British forces landing on Sword beach. Under the command of Major Howard, 90 British soldiers of the 6th Airbourne Infantry Division were piloted over to northern France, Halifax bombers towed 3 Horsa Gliders over the channel to Normandy where they were released at about 00:07 hours 6th June 1944, using nothing else but a compass and a stopwatch for navigation the gliders were piloted to a landing sight adjacent to Pegasus Bridge. The landing of the gliders is considered one of the most outstanding flying achievements in military history. The bridge was captured by Major Howard and his men who held the bridge from German troops until relieved. 

Challenge:

Design and manufacture a handmade glider predominantly using card and paper, no form of motorised propulsion is allowed. The glider must travel 20 yards and land as close to the designated landing point adjacent to a model of Pegasus Bridge.

A handmade model of 'Pegasus Bridge', Normandy, France

2 days before the challenge - I started work; armed with a dusty book on paper plane designs along with some online tutorials I went in search for engineering genius. Using standard A4 paper I experimented with a few crass prototypes, after rigorous testing and a number of early models landing in the neighbour's pond I was set to begin my glider. I aimed to work on creating a larger wingspan along with an aerodynamic structure.

For better strength against the wind and durability on landing I decided to place a bamboo cane in the nose of the glider to the middle section of the fuselage. Unfortunately gluing this into place was unsuccessful so I stitched the cane into the nose using needle and thread and folding a small section of the nose backwards. 

I'm pretty sure this is how Howard Hughes begun his aviation career.

Conclusion: An excellent attempt however my piloting skills weren't good enough to win the challenge, my glider potentially needed more weight in the nose to counter head winds. Great fun!