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of the more obscure aircraft the QAM collection is the International Model
Aircraft TG Mk 2 towed target which is suspended from the roof of Hangar
2. Although we have had this item for several years, it was only recently
that we discovered exactly what it was! Having identified it, we still don't
know a lot about it. This prompted an appeal for more information via "Aeroplane"
magazine. As a result, we have received a very interesting letter from Charles
Birch who is currently living in retirement in British Columbia, Canada.
From the following, you might quickly gain the impression that Charles'
association with the mysterious glider was not a particularly happy one!:
"I believe that the monstrosity hanging from the ceiling of QAM is a piece of equipment I had the misfortune to come up against while serving the 723 Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm (a Fleet Requirement Unit) based in Nowra, NSW. On 9th July 1945, I was detailed to do a target tow for HMS "Argonaut" - anti-aircraft fire with Bofors/Oerlikon. This was my first experience with the glider and after taxying a short distance down the runway, the glider was positioned about 50 yards behind us and we were hitched up. To the best of my knowledge this was the first time it had been tried. Take-off proved to be quite a challenge because of the extra drag which was considerable. I was yet to get airborne with the end of the runway approaching rapidly so I cut the throttle and abandoned the run - much to the relief of the air-gunner, P.O. Clark, in the back. We taxied back and tried again. This time we clawed our way into the air with the air-speed hovering close to the stall. The glider finally became un-stuck but then began to swing violently according to my startled gunner, so I told him to cut it free. (The incident is recorded in Charles' log book as '32ft wingspan glider broke away'). The whole trip lasted a mere 15 minutes from take-off to landing and I have not the slightest recollection of where the glider hit the ground - hopefully within the airfield boundary but could have been in the surrounding bush. Right then I vowed I would never tow the thing again. We went on to complete our tow for "Argonaut" using the conventional sleeve drogue - a flight lasting 1 hr 15 mins. I honestly don't know if any other pilot on the squadron tried it but I don't think so and the "thing" disappeared!!" Charles' log confirms that the target tug in this instance was Miles Martinet RG956. Other correspondents have confirmed that the glider was also towed by Beaufighter Mk 10 and Meteor Mk 7. Reported service dates range from 1945 to 1954. International Model Aircraft are better known as the manufacturer of FROG model aircraft. |
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