U.S. Marine Corps Schweizer LNS-1 (Model SGS 8-2) gliders in flight out of Parris Island, South Carolina, May 1942. (US Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs Division, ID fsac.1a35134) The Schweizer SGS 2-8 is an American two-seat, mid-wing, strut-braced, training glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York. The 2-8 was originally known simply as "The Schweizer Two-Place" when it first flew in June 1938. When World War II started, the 2-8 became a military trainer for the US Army, Navy and Marines and all existing aircraft were drafted into military service. After the war they were sold as surplus and quickly became sought after in civil soaring for their structural strength, lightness and their rugged all-metal design. The 2-8 became one of the most popular post war trainers in the United States. Design and Development During the 1920s and 1930s gliding was often self-taught or taught in single place sailplanes. An instructor would often coach t...