Silent Invaders: Combat Gliders of the Second World War

Combat gliders were called by some, “Death Crates," "Purple Heart Boxes," "Flying Coffins," and "Tow Targets.” They weren’t pretty, they had no graceful lines. Viewed from the front, they had a pug nose and a sloping Neanderthal forehead. Their wings looked like the heavily starched ears of a jackrabbit placed at right angles on a canvas—covered frame. Twice the length of the body, these self—same wings were eighty—four feet in length, 70% as long as the Wright brothers first powered flight...