On the 3rd May 2019 over 50 World War II Jeeps descended on RAF Brize Norton to try and set a record for the number of Jeeps fitted into the back of an aircraft.
Members of Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) provided various platforms of aircraft from the C-17 to the agile C-130, a workhorse that delivers across the globe on a daily basis.
The primary role of JADTEU is to conduct operational trial and evaluation to develop the delivery of personnel, machines and materiel as well as provide advice and recommendations on air transport matters to the MOD, civilian industry and other government departments. The unit is steeped in history, originally founded from the Airborne Forces Development Centre (Amesbury Abbey) and the Tactical Development Unit (Taranto Rushton) in 1943. JADTEU arrived at Brize Norton in 1946, setting up home in the hangars used by the Horsa Gliders to mount the D-Day operations.
The initial record attempt concept came from Mr Dave Bayliss who celebrates his 9th year at JADTEU. He came up with the idea during the restoration process of his very own WWII jeep. In homage to the 75th year of the D-Day landings he suggested marking the occasion with a world record attempt.
Mr Dave Bayliss was able to gather enthusiasts from all across the UK including Sheffield in the North and Cornwall in the South. The volunteers were only willing to help out in marking such an occasion. The world record attempt started with the C-17 where 21 vehicles were arranged and documented by the Squadron before moving onto A400M which housed 10 before finally finishing with C-130 airframe, squeezing in 6 vehicles to complete the record attempt.
Lieutenantt Colonel Kolczak, Commanding Officer JADTEU was appreciative of the work that had been put into the event stating:
“It’s great that JADTEU are able to support this commemorative activity and world record attempt given the long history that the unit has in enabling airborne forces. It is therefore fitting that the joint unit of Army, RAF, Navy and civilian workforce conduct a small token ahead of the D-Day celebrations which saw joint service operations 75 years ago”.
Lt Col Kolczak
Commanding Officer JADTEU
The record attempt will now be sent to the Guiness World Records to be ratified and hopefully we will have a new addition to the world records held at RAF Brize Norton.
