Waco CG-3 explained

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

Design and development

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

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

• XCG-3 : Prototype 8-seat glider. One built 1942.^[2]
• CG-3A : Production 9-seat glider. 100 built by Commonwealth Aircraft.^[2]

References

• Book: Mondey. David. The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II. 1996. Chancellor Press. London. 185152 706 0.
• Transport Gliders: The Rise and Demise of a Weapon:Part Four. Air Enthusiast. June 1972. 2. 6. 318–322.

Notes and References

1. Development and Procurement of Gliders for the Army Air Forces 1941–1944, AAF Historical Office, Headquarters, Army Air Forces, March 1946
2. Air Enthusiast June 1972, p. 321.