Assault Gliders 2! A different slant.

[KD303]

OK, I posted a suggestion for assault gliders and it wasn't well thought out or well received so I've given it some thought and I've started this new thread rather than continue the original one...

The Hamilcar glider.


To be used for taking troops and light armoured vehicles into enemy territory (closer than spawn points but with added danger).

Loading up a Hamilcar.


It was a big beast and could carry 8 tons of cargo. The crew sat in a compartment above the fuselage allowing vehicles to be loaded straight through the nose section.

General Aviation Hamilcar.

All up weight of 20 Tons.

Load: 2 Bren Gun Carriers, and Crew etc.

Or 1 Tetrach Tank. and other combinations.

Wing Span: 120 Ft.

Height from ground to Cockpit: 16 1/2 Ft.

Towing Speed: 130 Mph.

Landing Speed: 80 Mph.

If it was in AH2 it could be towed by a Lancaster, be released quite far from the objective, glide to within a few hundred yards (or less) of the enemy map room, disgorge one or two vehicles - suitable vehicles would have to be figured out - which would whisk some troops to capture the map room. It would require team work and would allow light armoured vehicles to get closer to enemy bases than spawn points do. To off-set the advantage of armoured vehicles arriving at enemy bases without having to drive from spawn points, the glider would  be vulnerable to attack. I'm not sure which of the AH ground vehicles it could carry, but the Hamilcar carried Brengun carriers and light tanks as well as self propelled Bofors anti-aircraft guns. It was desigend to carry the Tetrarch light tank which was Britains only airborne tank, used in the assault on Europe, from D-Day onwards. Although not a great tank, it would be authentic to have one for use with the Hamilcar, as well as Brengun carriers for carrying troops.The Hamil car could carry one Tetrarch or two Brengun Carriers. The pilot of the glider could take over one of the GVs and someone else could take the other. Of course, the glider pilot could just use it on his own to get his light tank close to the enemy base for mayhem.

Tetrarch Light Tank

Tetrarch Specs -

Crew: 3
 
Engine Power: 165 hp
 
Combat Weight: 7,620 kg ( 16,802 lb.)
 
Max speed: 64 km/h ( 39.74 mph)
 
Length: 4.305 m ( 14.12 ft)
 
Range: 225 km ( 139.73 miles)
 
Width: 2.31 m ( 7.58 ft)
 
Main Gun: 40 mm

Height: 2.12 m ( 6.96 ft)
 
Armour 4 mm ( 0.16 in) to 14 mm ( 0.55 in)

Brengun Carrier (Universal Carrier) being loaded into Hamilcar in April 1945 in preperation for the Rhyne crossing.



The Universal Carrier was used extensively in WWII but it's use would, I fear, be limited in AH as it doesn't (alone) carry enough troops to take a maproom. Two would though...Team work!! A mission to capture a base could involve Hamilcar gliders with light tanks and a few Universal Carriers (though it might be able to carry some of the vehicles already available in AH. I haven't checked) landing close to the objective and attempting to take the Map room. It would mean that you would be rewarded for working TOGETHER rather than just roaming around and hoping for the best. It would in no way interfere with the right to do your own thing but it would allow those who like to create capture based missions to enjoy an extra dimension to their virtual war.
Anyway, it's just a thought.

[Tilt]

I think the problem around the implementation of this is the amount of COAD that would have to written/re written to bring it into gameplay.

Its more than just another ride with an flight model.

In the hanger the glider would have to be selected as tug load for either a C47 or in the Hamilcars place a Lanc........( I think infact they used Halifaxes)

Then a payload for the hamilcar has to be chosen. Present hanger stuff does not allow for this.

Then a pilot for the Hamilcar has to "Join" the tug pilot like a gunner joins a lanc pilot.

However its not the same because presently a gunner is positionally a "slave" of the pilot. Now we need COAD to set him free when he releases his tow cable.

Then upon landing the ride changes  to a GV.

[KD303]

Yup, does sound difficult. I was thinking that it might be possible that the pilot flies the tug (Hamilcars were designed to be towed by Lancs, Stirlings or Halifaxes, but Halifaxes were used to carry them into combat - mainly because Lancs were too valuable (ahem) and Stirlings weren't as good at the job as the Halifax) then, after wire release, he transfers to the glider and the tug blows up, much like drones do if you get too far from them. On landing, he then changes to the GV. However, that would probably be a bit too much - flying the tug, then the glider and finally the GV, so having someone else tow you in a Lanc would be best. Who knows? It would at least offer a new and interesting, team-based way of taking map rooms.

[humble]

The top tank is an M-22 locust, bottom one is the tetrarch. THe british 2 pder was an AP round only gun so it has no HE option. The 2pder was obsolite by 1941 and couldnt penetrate any current tank....less effective then the 37mm in the M-8 I believe.