Waco CG-3

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CG-3A
Role Military glider
Manufacturer Commonwealth Aircraft, Inc.
Designer Waco Aircraft Company
First flight Early February 1942
Primary user United States
Number built 100

The Waco CG-3A was a US light troop military glider of World War II.

Design and development[edit]

The CG-3A was the United States Army Air Force's first production troop-carrying glider. 300 CG-3A 9-place gliders were initially ordered, but 200 of these were cancelled. A few of the 100 built by Commonwealth Aircraft (formerly Rearwin Aircraft) were used as trainers for the improved CG-4A, but most remained in their shipping crates in storage. The production CG-3A was developed from the experimental XCG-3 which was the only one built by Waco and given Army Air Forces Serial No. 41-29617.[1]

Operational history[edit]

The CG-3A became obsolete with the development of the much improved Waco designed CG-4A 15-place glider with its alternate load of military equipment. The CG-3A did not see any combat and several were used in limited training roles.

Variants[edit]

Specifications (CG-3A)[edit]

Data from The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 7 troops
  • Length: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)
  • Wingspan: 73 ft 1 in (22.28 m)
  • Empty weight: 2,044 lb (927 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4,400 lb (1,996 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn) (under tow)
  • Cruise speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
  • Minimum control speed: 38 mph (61 km/h, 33 kn)

See also[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Waco CG-3.
  1. ^ Development and Procurement of Gliders for the Army Air Forces 1941–1944, AAF Historical Office, Headquarters, Army Air Forces, March 1946
  2. ^ a b Air Enthusiast June 1972, p. 321.
  3. ^ Mondey 1996, pp. 248–249.
  • Mondey, David (1996). The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II. London: Chancellor Press. ISBN 185152 706 0.
  • "Transport Gliders: The Rise and Demise of a Weapon:Part Four". Air Enthusiast. Vol. 2, no. 6. June 1972. pp. 318–322.
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