General Airborne Transport XCG-16
General Airborne Transport · United States · first flew 1943 · glider
The General Airborne Transport XCG-16 was an American WWII military assault glider prototype evaluated in 1943 as a competitor to the Waco CG-13A, intended to carry troops and light vehicles in large-scale airborne operations.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.72 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- Large military assault glider with high straight wing
- Lost out to Waco CG-13A after catastrophic demonstration flight in 1943
A large, high-wing unpowered glider of conventional layout, distinguishable from the Waco CG-4A by its significantly larger size — nearly the span of the CG-15A — and the distinctive General Airborne fuselage cross-section.
Specifications
- The General Airborne Transport XCG-16 has a length of 14.72 m (48 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 27.98 m (92 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 354 km/h (220 mph).
- Typical crew: 2, plus troops or cargo.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The XCG-16 first flew on 11 September 1943 at March Field, California. During a critical demonstration flight, unsecured ballast shifted rearward, making the glider uncontrollable; the resulting crash was fatal to the programme. The Waco CG-13A was selected instead.
Variants
Single prototype only.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the programme ended after the crash.
Related aircraft
- Boeing C-108 Flying Fortress
- Cessna C-106 Loadmaster
- Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
- Curtiss C-76 Caravan
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