World War 2 In Review: 04/10/25

Chase XCG-14: American Experimental Cargo Glider in View

Chase XCG-14 (44-90989) glider being towed aloft. 1945.

Chase XCG-14A.

Chase XCG-14 (44-90989).

Bristol XLRQ-1: American Amphibian Glider in View

A U.S. Navy XLRQ-1 glider at the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation in Bristol, Connecticut, 1942. Glider assault was not tactically feasible against small, heavily defended islands in the Pacific, not enough gliders were arriving from factories and too many pilots were being assigned to the glider program. Therefore the program was scrapped in 1943. Although the U.S. Navy ordered four XLRQ-1 prototypes, only two were built (BuNos 11561 and 11562). The glider had a retractable landing gear and the wing roots provided lateral stability on the water.

A U.S. Navy XLRQ-1 glider at the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation in Bristol, Connecticut, 1942.

An amphibian glider known as the Bristol XLRQ-1 underwent successful flight tests at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. XLRQ-1 was a 12-seat amphibious glider of the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation, New Haven, Connecticut, developed for the United States Marine Corps in 1942-43. Only two prototypes were built before the USMC scrapped the idea of glider use in 1943.

Taken off the Delaware River by a Catalina flying boat, the XLRQ-1 glider circled the yard twice and then returned to the river. Made chiefly of non-critical materials, the 40-foot glider was designed to carry 12 fully equipped Marines.

A Consolidated PBY Catalina towing the Bristol XLRQ-1 on the Delaware River during flight testing. 1943.

A U.S. Navy XLRQ-1 glider at the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation in Bristol, Connecticut, 1942. Note the Martin JM-1 Marauders in the background.

A U.S. Navy XLRQ-1 glider at the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation in Bristol, Connecticut, 1942.

A U.S. Navy XLRQ-1 glider at the Bristol Aeronautical Corporation in Bristol, Connecticut, 1942. Note the Martin JM-1 Marauders in the background.

Curtiss XP-42: American Experimental Fighter in View

Curtiss XP-42, 23 February 1942.

Curtiss XP-42. Testbed for streamlining cowlings around air-cooled engines. The Curtiss XP-42 was an experimental fighter built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s to research engine cooling and improving the performance of the Curtiss P-36. The fourth production P-36A (serial 38-004) became a development platform for a direct successor, designated XP-42 by the USAAC. The most striking difference with the P-36 was a longer, streamlined nose cowling (concealing a longer propeller shaft). These features attempted to improve the aerodynamics of the air-cooled radial engine. Because of this feature, the XP-42 superficially resembled aircraft equipped with in-line liquid-cooled engines (such as the P-40, another development of the P-36). When the XP-42 first flew in March 1939, it proved to be faster than the P-36. However, the P-40 was faster and the new nose cowling caused engine cooling problems that proved to be unresolvable, despite at least 12 sets of modifications. The XP-42 project was canceled. However, the XP-42 prototype was retained as a test-bed and was later fitted with an all-moving tail (stabilator), for research purposes. The XP-42 was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-31 engine fitted with extensions to the propeller shaft and nose casing to give it a streamlined nose. This aircraft was scrapped on July 15, 1947.

Curtiss XP-42 (short nose version).

American Training Gliders in View

Frankfort “Cinema” glider in civilian use. Originally designed as a single-seater, a two-seat version designated the Cinema II was produced soon afterwards, and this design was put forward when the Army issued a requirement for training gliders. At the same time, the company was awarded production contracts for transport gliders, the CG-1 and CG-2. However, Frankfort lacked the resources to quickly produce large numbers of gliders, and only 43 TG-1s were delivered.

General H.H. Arnold standing alongside a TG-2 glider, with Capt. Ralph S. Barnaby (left) and Edward S. Evans (right), at Harris Hill, Elmira, New York. 1941.

Schweizer TG-3A. Because the 2-8 was made from aluminum and steel, which were both declared "strategic materials", a replacement design was needed. The Schweizers designed the SGS 2-12 as a wooden version of the 2-8, incorporating some improvements, such as a lower-mounted cantilever wing to improve instructor visibility.

TG-3A. The 2-12 succeeded the 2-8 in production and 114 were produced with the designation TG-3A. Three prototype TG-3s were constructed under the designation XTG-3.

Schweizer TG-3A training glider.

Schweizer TG-3A training glider, National Museum of the Air Force.

Schweizer TG-3A (44-486136) training glider, U.S. Army Air Forces, Pima Air and Space Museum.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A training glider in the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The Laister-Kauffman TG-4 (designated LK-10 Yankee Doodle 2 by its designer) was a sailplane produced in the United States during the Second World War for training cargo glider pilots. It was a conventional sailplane design with a fuselage of steel tube construction and wooden wings and tail, skinned all over in fabric.

The Laister-Kauffman TG-4A displayed at Air Mobility Command Museum.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A, Fort Rucker. 1942.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A being readied for a factory test flight.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A on a factory test flight.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A. Note the open rear canopy!

The Laister-Kauffman TG-4 displayed at Silent Wings Museum. The pilot and instructor sat in tandem under a long canopy. XTG-4 prototypes (3 built); TG-4A production model (150 built); TG-4B civilian aircraft impressed into service (1 impressed).

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A, “515,” contract glider school, Wickenberg, Arizona. Note the shark mouth on the nose.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A during construction.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A hatch cover assembly.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A spoiler and brake system.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A tow hook — closed and open.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A — location of parachute tube.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A being inspected by General Yount, contract glider school, Lamase, Texas.

Aeronca TG-5 training glider was a conversion of an Aeronca light plane by removing the engine and replacing it with a nose for a third crew member.

Taylorcraft TG-6 (42-58662), U.S. Army. On display at the Pima Air and Space Museum.

Churchill: British Infantry Tank in View

A Churchill tank fitted with a Crocodile flamethrower in action. This flamethrower could produce a jet of flame exceeding 150 yards in length. August 1944. (Imperial War Museum TR 2313)

Churchill tanks of A and B Squadrons, 43rd Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment, 33rd Brigade negotiate obstacles during training, October 1942.

A Churchill tank of the North Irish Horse crossing the Senio in Italy on two stacked Churchill ARKs, Italy. April 1945.

Churchill Crocodile training in England.

Churchill infantry tank and crew.

Churchill AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers) close-support vehicle.

Churchill Crocodile with its flamethrower fuel trailer that carried 400 gallons.

The 290mm Petard spigot mortar on a Churchill AVRE of 79th Squadron, 5th Assault Regiment, Royal Engineers, under command of 3rd Infantry Division, 29 April 1944. A 40lb bomb can be seen on the right.

Churchill Ark Mk II. A turretless Churchill with ramps at either end and along the body to form a mobile bridge. The Mark 1 had trackways over the tracks for vehicles to drive along. The Mark 2 was an improvised version and crossing vehicles drove directly on the Churchill’s tracks.

Churchill tanks of 'B' squadron, 51st (Leeds Rifles) Royal Tank Regiment, 25th Tank Brigade, in Italy in July 1944. 25th Brigade first saw action in Italy in May 1944 when its three regiments supported the Canadian 1st Division's attack on the 'Hitler Line'.

Churchill tank in Italy.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrower tanks move forward near Imola, Italy, 12 April 1945.

The Crocodile’s flamethrower system.

A Churchill Crocodile sends some 'love' down range.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrower tank, 79th Armoured Division, 13 February 1944.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrower on trials, Eastwell Park, Ashford, Kent, 26 April 1944.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrower in action during trials at Eastwell Park, Ashford, Kent, 26 April 1944.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrowers in action during trials at Eastwell Park, Ashford, Kent, 26 Apr 1944.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrower in action during trials at Eastwell Park, Ashford, Kent, 26 April 1944.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrowing tank during a demonstration, 25 August 1944.

Churchill Crocodile flame-throwing tank during a demonstration, 25 August 1944.

A Churchill Crocodile flamethrowing tank during a demonstration, 25 August 1944. Close-up of the fuel trailer.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrowing tanks in action during a demonstration, 25 August 1944.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrower tank, 25 August 1944.

Crocodiles of B Squadron, 141st Royal Armored Corps, which took part in the American attack on Brest.

Allied assault force with British Churchill Crocodiles moving on Fort Montbarey. September 1944.

Churchill Crocodile in action near Fort Montbarey. Brest, France, September 1944.

Churchill Crocodile tanks move into position during the attack towards Hertogenbosch, 23 October 1944.

Churchill Mk VII Crocodiles and Mk V CS tanks of the 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry. Germany, November 1944.

A Churchill Crocodile flamethrower in action during a demonstration near Faenza, Italy, 30 December 1944.

Churchill Crocodile flamethrowers in action against the village of St Joost, north of Schilberg, during an attack by 1st Rifle Brigade, 20 January 1945.

A Churchill Crocodile flamethrower tank of 31st Armoured Brigade, 79th Armoured Division, moves past a church at Oberhausen in the Ruhr, Germany, April 1945. Smoke from the burning Ruhrchemie AG synthetic oil plant (Sterkrade/Holten) fills the sky behind.

A Churchill VII tank of the North Irish Horse carrying troops of the 21st Infantry Division, north of Castel Borsetti, March 2, 1945. Note the white tape indicating the edge of a cleared enemy minefield.

A Churchill Crocodile flame tank supports the crossing of the Senio River in northern Italy by two New Zealand infantry divisions on April 9, 1945.

Churchill NA 75 infantry tank. The NA 75 was created by British Captain Percy H. Morrell in 1944. Morrell took a standard Churchill Mk IV infantry tank and equipped it with an American 75 mm M3 cannon in a slightly modified turret. The goal behind this conversion was to enable the Churchill tank to fire capable HE rounds (which its original QF 2-pounder and QF 6-pounder armaments could not do), as well as equip the tank with more turret armor. When converted, the NA 75 could effectively take out fortified targets in support of friendly infantry, which the Churchill was mostly designed to do (hence the designation of "infantry tank"). A total of 200 Churchill NA 75s were converted, equipped with the 75 mm gun, a new armored gun mantlet, and a gun counterweight in the rear of the turret. The tanks were first deployed in Italy with great success, working hand in hand with M4 Sherman medium tanks. They would remain in that particular campaign until the end of the war.