Waco CG-13
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| CG-13 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Transport Glider |
| Manufacturer | WACO Aircraft Company |
| Maiden flight | 1943 |
| Introduction | 1945 |
| Primary user | USAAF |
| Produced | 1945 |
| Program cost | 135 |
The Waco CG-13 was an American military transport glider developed during World War II. Wright Field Glider Branch realized a need for a glider larger than the CG-4A and requested designs. The response by several companies produced designs for five larger gliders. One of these designs was the XCG-13 by WACO Aircraft Company of Troy, Ohio.
The XCG-13 contract was for a 30 place design with an 8,000 lb useful load capacity to fly 174 mph at 12,000 feet altitude. The aircraft flight tests were performed at Clinton County Army Air Field and approved March 10, 1943. The flight tests suggested the glider be given given tricycle landing gear and a hydraulic system to lift the huge nose. These features were incorporated into the second XCG-13.
Ford Motor Company at Kingsford, Michigan and Northwestern Aeronautical at St. Paul, Minnesota built YCG-13 models and were given contracts to build the production CG-13A. WACO was not given a production contract. Northwestern Aeronautical built 49 production articles. Ford built 48 as 30 place and 37 as 42 place by adding a bench down the center of the cargo section. Between the two companies, 268 contracted articles were canceled in favor of producing more CG-4A gliders.
The CG-13A glider maximum useful load was 10,200 lb. with a span of 86.67 feet and a length of 54 feet. The 79 mph stall speed was 19 mph higher than specified. One CG-13A was flown in combat in the Appari Mission in the Philippines. The CG-13A glider was not flown in combat in Europe but was used as transports in England and France.
[edit] Specifications (CG-13A)
Data from The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Capacity: 30 or 42 troops (including flight crew)
- Length: 54 ft 4 in (16.56 m)
- Wingspan: 85 ft 8 in (26.11 m)
- Height: 20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)
- Wing area: 873 ft² (81.10 m²)
- Empty weight: 8,700 lb (3,946 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 18,900 lb (8,573 kg)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 165 knots (190 mph, 306 km/h) (maximum towing speed)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
[edit] Operators
[edit] References
- ^ Mondey 1996, p.235.
- Mondey, David, The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II. London: Chancellor, 1996. I185152 706 0.SBN
- Silent Ones WWII Invasion Glider Test and Experiment Clinton County Army Air Field Wilmington Ohio
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