RAF Glider tug vehicles in WW2

[Larry Hayward]

Has anyone got any photos of RAF glider tug vehicles used in WW2 to move heavy gliders in to position. I seem to remember seeing something like a Crossley Q with a ballast body on the rear, which was used to move Horsa or Hamilcar gliders in to the correct pattern before there tow ropes were laid out in the correct sequence for the tug and glider take off.

[ted angus]

Larry - yes the Crossley Q with its ballast body seems to have been the chosen tractor; I found this shot just a couple of days ago- its even got the tow bar on the back ! I have been searching for period shots of airborne forces jeeps for a modelling project and the Crossley has appeared several in different shots I have seen whilst on the big super highway.

regards TEd

[Larry Hayward]

Many thanks Ted - that's the vehicle. Sadly my search of it on the web through up nothing especially of the side or rear views.

It looks to have the same short wheel base as the Crossley Q that pulled the Queen Mary trailers.

[ted angus]

Spot on Larry, the ballast could be removed from the ballast body and then the ballast body could be folded flat towards the cab to enable the Tasker coupling to be used.

TED

[motto]

I've just recently put my back out so maybe I'm a little more conscious of these things but that's a hell of an ask for those fellows to push that trailer up the ramp.
They are obviously struggling and it could easily become downright dangerous.
.
David