Archaeological remains associated with the loss of this aircraft are not confirmed as present at this location, but may be in the vicinity.
The remains of this aircraft are designated as a Controlled Site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. The Act makes it an offence to interfere with the wreckage of any crashed, sunken or stranded military aircraft without a licence. For further information on this Act and its administration with regard to aircraft, please contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester, GL3 1RZ.
Event and Historical Information:
The Hotspur was transport glider designed by General Aircraft Ltd at Feltham. The aircraft's structural integrity came from its all-wood frame covered with plywood skins. The first success flight by a Hotspur Mk 1 was on 5 November 1940. The Hotspur Mk II had a smaller wing span and larger cockpit canopy, making it more suitable for training flights. There is no record of the Hotspur being used in combat as the larger glider types overtook them in functionality, however they continued in use for training operations, usually towed by Miles Master aircraft. They had the capacity to carry 2 crewmen and 8 troops; had a length of 39 ft (11.89 m), wingspan of 45 ft 10? in (13.99 m), and were able to carry a maximum of 3,598 lb (1,632 kg). The range was 83 miles from a 20,000 ft above the earth release (134 km from a 6000m release). More than a 1000 Hotspur gliders were built - this example being assigned to 5 Glider Training School (GTS) at time of the crash. The tow rope broke damaging a wing. As a consequence, the glider undertook a forced landing near Hundred House on 13 May 1943. Both pilots were injured, but they survived.
Sources include:
Doylerush, E, 1993, Fallen Eagles: A Guide to Aircraft Crashes in North East and Mid Wales
Hankinson, R and Spencer, J, 2014, Military Aircraft Crash Sites: Scheduling Enhancement Programme
