Douglas XCG-17

Douglas · United States · first flew 1944 · glider

The Douglas XCG-17 was an experimental American military cargo glider produced by removing the engines from a standard Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport and modifying it for glider towing. It demonstrated that a C-47 airframe could perform efficiently as an unpowered glider.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × none, embedded-mounted
F — Fuselage	19.43 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Unpowered sailplane — no engine
WWII American military glider converted from the Douglas C-47
Largest American military glider of the war, capable of carrying 40 troops

Externally identical to a Douglas C-47 but with the engine nacelles faired over and the cowlings removed; the characteristic twin-tail is absent — the XCG-17 retains the C-47's conventional single-fin tail.

Specifications

The Douglas XCG-17 has a length of 19.43 m (64 ft).
It has a wingspan of 29.11 m (96 ft).
Its maximum speed is 467 km/h (290 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Converted and first flown in 1944, the XCG-17 impressed evaluators with its load-carrying ability and handling, achieving higher towing speeds than any contemporary US military glider. Despite the successful trials, the end of the war and the availability of surplus powered C-47s meant no production gliders were built.

Variants

Only one conversion was made; no production series was ordered.

Where you'll see it

A single USAAF experimental aircraft; never entered operational service.

Related aircraft

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