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United States' Waco CG-4A Hadrian transport, Waco CG-13A transport glider

Photos

Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider:
United States' Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider 		Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider:
United States' Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider		 Waco CG-4 Hadrian destroyed by landing in what was called Rommel's Asparagus:
United States' Waco CG-4 Hadrian destroyed by landing in what was called Rommel's Asparagus
PhotosNormandie's photostream		 Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider:
United States' Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider
PhotosNormandie's photostream
Waco CG-4 Hadrian flown by the 438th TCG with passengers from the 32nd Reconnaissance Platoon:
United States' Waco CG-4 Hadrian flown by the 438th TCG with passengers from the 32nd Reconnaissance Platoon
PhotosNormandie's photostream 		Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider with a Griswold nose:
United States' Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider with a Griswold nose
PhotosNormandie's photostream		    
Waco CG-4A Hadrian glider:
United States' Waco CG-4A Hadrian glider 		Waco CG-4A Hadrian gliders being towed by C-47 Skytrains:
United States' Waco CG-4A Hadrian gliders being towed by C-47 Skytrains		    
Waco CG-13 glider:
United States' Waco CG-4A Hadrian glider		      
Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider:
United States' Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider		 Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider:
United States' Waco CG-4 Hadrian glider		    

Design

The Waco CG-4A was designed to meet a 1941 requirement.1

Wings

The wood wings were covered by fabric.1

Fuselage

The fuselage was welded steel tubing covered by fabric.1

Nose

The nose had a hinge which allowed it to be raised up for loading.1

Flying Controls

There were spoilers that were used in the place of flaps.1 There were two sets of controls.1

Cargo

The Hadrian could carry 15 troops or loads that could include a jeep, 1/4 ton truck, or a 75 mm howitzer.1

Prototype

The XCG-4 prototype competed against the Bowlus XCG-8.1

Production

Initial order for the CG-13A numbered 400 but with the progress of the war and the availability of other gliders actual production was much less.2

  • Waco CG-4A: 13,9061
    • Manufacturer: Babcock (60)1, Cessna (750)1, Commonwealth (1,470)1, Ford (4,190)1, G and A Aircraft (627)1, General (1,112)1, Gibson Refrigerator (1,078)1, Laister-Kaufman (310)1, National (1)1, Northwestern (1,510)1, Pratt & Read (956)1, Ridgefield Manufacturing (156)1, Robertson (170)1, Timm (434)1, Ward Furniture (7)1, Waco (1,075)1
  • Total: 13,9101
    • Production: 1942 - late 19441
  • Waco CG-13A: 1322
    • Manufacturer: Waco Aircraft Company2, Ford (85)2, Northwest (47)2
  • Waco CG-15A: 4291

Variants

  • Waco XCG-4: Prototype.1
  • Waco CG-4A: Main production version.1
  • Waco CG-13A: Same basic structure as the CG-4 but larger to carry more troops.2
  • Waco CG-15A: Wing span reduced.1 Undercarriage redesigned.1

Usage

The Waco CG-4A was used by Britain, Canada, and the United States.1

Husky

The CG-4A was first used in the invasion of Sicily in July 1943.1

Normandy

In the June 1944 landings at Normandy the Allies used many CG-4As.1

Specifications

  Waco CG-4A Hadrian1 Waco CG-13A2
Type Assault and transport glider1 Transport glider2
Crew 21 22
Engine (Type) None1  
Dimensions    
Span 83' 8"1
25.5 m1 		85' 8"2
Length 48' 4'1
14.73 m1 		54' 4"2
Height 12' 7"1
3.83 m1 		20' 3"2
Wing area    
Weight    
Empty 3,750 lb1
1,701 kg1 		 
Loaded 7,500 lb1
3,402 kg1 		18,900 lb2
Maximum load 9,000 lb1
4,082 kg1 		 
Performance    
Towing speed 125 mph1
201 kph1 		 
Maximum towing speed 150 mph1
241 kph1 		190 mph2
Stall speed 44 mph1
71 kph1 		 
Passengers 151 422
OR    
Cargo 3,800 lb1
1,724 kg1 		 

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  2. World War II Airplanes Volume 2, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976