Waco CG-4A - History, technical details and picture

History of the Waco "Hadrian" glider

At the time of the preparation of the Overlord operation, the use of gliders has been devised. Capable of transporting thirteen soldiers with light equipment or a Jeep or small guns.

Developed at the beginning of the Second World War, the Waco glider was built from wood and metal by the U.S. firm Waco Aircraft Company located in Troy, Ohio, and its weight was less than 2,000 kg.

Towed by bombers or transport aircrafts Douglas C-47 type, the Waco glider should break its trailer once close to the landing runway. For a few minutes, it hung silently in the sky before landing at the nearest of the target. Once on the ground, equipment such as light gun or vehicle were pulled out of glider by the front which was lift up, while the soldiers were leaving the glider by doors located on the sides. Unusable once on the ground since it was as often partially damaged, the Waco were usually destroyed.

The Waco could transport 13 soldiers in arms, in addition to the pilot and copilot. First used during the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, many Waco gliders were also used in Normandy during Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944, to the west of the landing beaches. The damages were at that time very important and there very many casualties.