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CG-15
CG-15A
General information
Type	Military glider
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Waco Aircraft Company
Primary user	United States Army Air Forces
Number built	473
History
Developed from	Waco CG-4

The Waco CG-15 was an American military glider, which was developed from the CG-4. Although outwardly similar to its predecessor and carrying the same number of passengers, a number of changes in the design, including shortened wings and a more streamlined nose enabled it to travel faster. 1,000 were ordered and 473 were delivered before production ceased. Two were transferred to the Navy for testing as the XLR2W-1. One unit was converted into an XPG-3 powered glider which used two Jacobs R-755-9 radial engines.

Variants

XCG-15

Prototype converted from a CG-4A, one conversion.

XCG-15A

New-build prototypes, two built.

CG-15A

Production variant, redesignated G-15A in 1948, 427 built.

PG-3

One XCG-15A fitted with two R-755-9 engines, redesignated G-3A in 1948.

XLR2W-1

Two CG-15As transferred to the United States Navy.

G-3A

PG-3 redesignated in 1948.

G-15A

CG-15A redesignated in 1948.

Operators

 United States

• United States Army Air Force
• United States Navy

Specifications (CG-15A)

Data from Fighting Gliders of World War II

General characteristics

• Crew: 2 pilots
• Capacity: 13 troops / 4,035 lb (1,830 kg)
• Length: 48 ft 9.6 in (14.874 m)
• Wingspan: 62 ft 1.2 in (18.928 m)
• Height: 12 ft 8.4 in (3.871 m)
  
• Cargo compartment:

• Length: 13 ft 1.2 in (4.0 m)
• Width: 5 ft 10.2 in (1.8 m)
• Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.7 m)

• Wing area: 623 sq ft (57.9 m)
• Aspect ratio: 6.21
• Airfoil: NACA 43012
• Empty weight: 4,000 lb (1,814 kg)
• Gross weight: 8,035 lb (3,645 kg)

Performance

• Stall speed: 62 mph (100 km/h, 54 kn) flaps up

53 mph (46 kn; 85 km/h) flaps down

• Never exceed speed: 180 mph (290 km/h, 160 kn)
  

100 mph (87 kn; 161 km/h) with flaps lowered

• Wing loading: 12.9 lb/sq ft (63 kg/m)

See also

Related development

• Waco CG-4A

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Airspeed Horsa
• DFS 230
• General Aircraft Hamilcar
• General Aircraft Hotspur
• Gotha Go 242
• Schweizer cargo glider designs
• Slingsby Hengist

Related lists

• List of aircraft of World War II
• List of World War II military gliders

References

1. Mrazek, James E. (1 January 1977). Fighting Gliders of World War II (1st ed.). London: St. Martin's Press. pp. 130–133. ISBN 978-0-312-28927-0.
2. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

• "Fiddlersgreen paper model of WACO CG-4 Invasion Glider with historical notes and photos".
• Handon, David. "WACO CG-15A". Dave's warbirds.com. Retrieved 30 April 2007.

• 1940s United States military transport aircraft
• World War II aircraft of the United States
• 1940s United States military gliders
• Waco aircraft
• Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear