The Waco CG-4A

Restored Waco on display at the Silent Wings Museum, Terrell, Texas. Note: The Silent Wings Museum is being moved to Lubbock, Texas.

"Waco CG-4A Glider. Max. Towed Speed: 150 mph; Weight: 7,500 lbs. maximum; Span: 83 ft. 8 in.; Length: 48 ft. 4 in. The Waco was the most widely used U.S. troop/cargo glider of WWII with more than 12,000 procured. Towed by C-46's or C-47's (and sometimes by bombers), CG-4A's were used in the invasions of Sicily and France and in other airborne operations in Europe and Asia. The CG-4A displayed at the Silent Wings Museum, Terrell, Texas, is painted in D-Day invasion markings." (Silent Wings Museum Postcard - Photo and caption courtesy of Silent Wings Museum).

Restored Waco CG-4A on display at the USAF Museum Wright-Patterson AFB. Note the skids under the nose. These replaced the nose wheels found on powered aircraft.

Photos/Information courtesy of the US Air Force Museum

Waco in flight. Note the tow line leading from the nose.

Waco landing

The Waco was made of metal tubing, canvas and wood and carried no armor

Waco CG-4A probably on the ground in the U.S. Note U.S. markings and silver finish. Once the gliders were shipped to Europe and Asia, they were painted dark green. Invasion markings were also added prior to invasions to allow ground troops and naval forces to more easily identify friendly aircraft.

Diagram depicting loading and unloading of a Waco. Note the struts holding the tail section off the ground.

"Development and Use of the Waco CG-4A Cargo Glider Deceleration Parachute (A pdf file with several interesting pictures.)

Copies of Waco Loading Manifests - pdf files: Manifest 1 -- Manifest 2 -- Manifest 3

(Will not download for some reason - working on it.)

Below specifications from "The Aviation Enthusiast Corner."

Waco CG-4A 'Hadrian'

Description
Manufacturer:	Waco Aircraft Company and others
Base model:	CG-4
Designation:	CG-4
Version:	A
Nickname:	Called the "Waco" by the U.S., and the "Hadrian" by the British
Service:	U.S. Air Force
Basic role:	Transport Glider
Designation Period:	1941-1947

Specifications
Length:	48' 4"	14.7 m
Height:	12' 7"	3.8 m
Wingspan:	83' 8"	25.5 m
Wingarea:	852.0 sq ft	79.1 sq m
Gross Weight:	7,499 lb	3,401 kg
Max Weight:	7,500 lb	3,401 kg
Propulsion
Powerplant:	None
Performance
Max Speed:	120 mph	193 km/h	104 kt

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TRIBUTE TO THE AMERICAN COMBAT GLIDER PILOTS OF WORLD WAR II

Annual Reunion of the National WWII Glider Pilots Association - Click here for information

THE WACO CG-4A COMBAT ASSAULT GLIDER

Youtube video on Waco G-4 Assault Glider

Youtube video of the Waco CG-4A Glider at the Elmira, NY Soaring Museum

Youtube video of the Waco CG-4A Glider Restoration Update - April 2009

Youtube video Air Mobility Command Museum 9 - CG-4A glider