That is indeed the escape rope hanging down from the port para door of the Hastings. As to whether that is chugalug's incident I am sure he will be along soon to enlighten us. The Hastings like all taildraggers (as I found out with my Cub) has a tendency to swop ends in a crosswind. On the OCU one of the exercises was 'co plot mutual' where two copilots were sent off for training. The subsequent landings were always good spectator sport. If the winds were strong but down(ish) the runway we would be towed out, backwards to the runway and lined up before stating up. Very disconcerting for the pax.
Danny, I wonder what the Vengeance was like in a strong crosswind ?.