Showing posts with label American Training Gliders in View. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Training Gliders in View. Show all posts

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.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A.

Laister-Kauffman TG-4A during construction.

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.