The Glider Pilot Regiment

Format: PAL* In depth analysis of the famous Horsa Glider from its construction, size and flying characteristics using a full scale replica built at RAF Shawbury.* Interviews with GPR veterans and their insights into what being in this prestigious regiment was like from their initial training to numerous battles.returncharacterreturncharacter* Packed with extra material including pictures, diagrams, chapters taken from Pen and Sword books and exclusive money off vouchers.returncharacterreturncharacterSelection and training for the Army's Glider Pilot Regiment was both rigorous and thoroughly demanding.

GPR veterans recall their experience of training to be members one of the British Army's new elite regiments.

Once they had survived the initial toughening up, it was onto elementary fixed wing flying with the RAF and then on to gliding in a variety of aircraft including the Horsa Glider.returncharacterreturncharacterUsing a exact full scale replica of the Horsa glider built at RAF Shawbury, the team gain an insight into the construction, size and flying characteristics of this iconic airplane.

Veterans explain how the aircraft handled and the controls they used in their five mile glide from six thousand feet.The operations of the Glider Pilot Regiment are covered from the first small scale attempt to destroy the German Heavy Water plant in Norway through to the near disastrous first major commitment at night to the invasion of Sicily in July 1943.returncharacterreturncharacterAfter the war the GPR fought as infantry alongside 6th Airborne Division in Palestine but the helicopter was now on the scene; with gliding into battle a thing of the past, the Regiment was disbanded after a short but illustrious history.

But their spirit and the achievements live on in today's Army Air Corps.