Britain's Airborne forces early 1950's film on training of British paratroops and glider pilots

[@ibana8449]

As a spotty 16 year old teenager in the air cadets I did a gliding course, cable breaks were quite exciting especially the medium cable break, I would not like to try a medium cable break in something that big. Brave men all of them.

[@1701enter]

My Dad was an instructor at the Abingdon Jump school at that time, as a wee lad I was taken to the hangers and allowed to use the harness shown in the film (let me tell you it was the most exciting thing to do!). A war time anti tank gunner and after the war, finished as RSM Jim Campbell second battalion the Parachute Regiment. And yes he did have a sword!

[@carldowd406]

As far as Im concerned British Operational or as mentioned here, combat jumps ergo jumping into War did take place during 1982 and kudos to all those who took part, likely the Largest? Airdrop Elaine on June 13th...

[@inglesconalan5360]

I can see how the glider take-off sequence was reproduced in "A Bridge Too Far".

[@allanmcleod1384]

RAF para sqn do more jumps operationally than Para regt. Apparently they are the go to unit. More usable skill set.

[@victorthorn8967]

I doubt that except for SFSG elements (of which there are a few) no RAF Regiment 2 Squadron lads have done any operational jumps for many years, training would be different. Even then with issues with the Airbus, not much happening.

[@Stanly-Stud]

Haha😂....utter Hogwash But being honest when was the last time any airborne troops were used.

[@Stanly-Stud]

@@allanmcleod1384 Hahaha...you're a buffoon

[@chrissheppard5068]

No reserve parachutes. Ninja.

[@SM-dt1pr]

When did they decide to give up the idea of cargo gliders? Presumably the development of large helicopters made them redundant... Mid 50s?

[@paulmurphy42]

Three questions: 1/ Does anyone know the exact year the RAF stopped training pilots for troop gliders like Horsas, Hengists, etc? 2/ The video showed them being trained in Link simulators before they went solo in Tiger Moths. Surely this is wrong? 3/ How many hours total were glider pilots trained on Tiger Moths? Excellent video and thanks for uploading.

[@Hants_Prints]

Many thanks, I wish we could answer your questions but unfortunately it's not our area, hopefully one of the RAF subscribers can help 👍⚓

[@alanhutchins5916]

Was this before or after Suez??

[@Hants_Prints]

The data shows 1951 but I think that could be a little out, sorry, sometimes we don't have much info at all

[@angloaust1575]

Suez 1956 the last british combat jump!

[@cujimmy1366]

What about the SAS in the Falklands campaign.

[@angloaust1575]

Helicopter assault maybe?

[@alanhutchins5916]

@@angloaust1575 It's going to be extremely rare for any circumstance to dictate a mass insertion jump beyond small contingent Special Forces..... Training is the only reason and enabler for full scale jumps these days .. which is not a waste.

[@1701enter]

My Dad did the jump

[@victorthorn8967]

Not large scale, but many from SFSG and 2 and 3 Para supporting SF in recent years.