Aeronca TG-5

Aeronca · United States · first flew 1942 · glider

The Aeronca TG-5 was an American two-seat training glider derived from the Aeronca 65 Defender light aircraft, produced for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It served as a primary glider trainer to prepare pilots for larger combat gliders.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × none, embedded-mounted
F — Fuselage	7.04 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Unpowered sailplane — no engine
WWII US military training glider
High-wing two-seat motorless trainer based on Aeronca 65

A high-wing two-seater with a tube-and-fabric fuselage and no engine; closely resembles the powered Aeronca 65 but with the engine removed and nose faired over, giving a blunt snout.

Specifications

The Aeronca TG-5 has a length of 7.04 m (23 ft).
It has a wingspan of 10.97 m (36 ft).
Its maximum speed is 145 km/h (90 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The USAAF required large numbers of glider pilots for airborne operations and commissioned several manufacturers to produce motorless versions of existing light aircraft as trainers. Aeronca converted the Model 65 airframe into the TG-5 glider, delivering several hundred examples. Training took place at glider schools across the southern United States.

Variants

The TG-5 was produced in a single primary variant. Similar conversions by other manufacturers included the Taylorcraft TG-6 and Piper TG-8. The TG-5 remained a pure glider with no powered version in military service.

Where you'll see it

Used exclusively by the USAAF at glider pilot training schools from 1942 to 1945. After the war most examples were sold as surplus to civilian operators and aero clubs.

Related aircraft

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