Waco CG-4 Hadrian
Waco Aircraft Company · United States · first flew 1942 · glider
The Waco CG-4 Hadrian was the most widely produced Allied military glider of World War II, capable of carrying 13 troops, a jeep, or a small artillery piece. It was the primary assault glider of the United States Army Air Forces and was also used in large numbers by the British Army.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered military assault glider — no engine
- Hinged nose lifts to load vehicles or artillery
- Used in Sicily, Normandy, Market Garden and Rhine crossings
A high-wing monoplane glider with a distinctive upward-hinged nose section that serves as the loading door; the boxy fabric-covered fuselage, straight high wing and twin tail fins differentiate it from the British Horsa glider.
Specifications
- The Waco CG-4 Hadrian has a length of 14.8 m (49 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 25.5 m (84 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 240 km/h (149 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1942, the CG-4 was manufactured by no fewer than 16 companies with over 13,900 built — making it the most numerous military glider in history. It saw action in every major Allied airborne operation: Sicily (1943), Normandy D-Day (1944), Operation Market Garden, the Rhine crossing, and operations in the Pacific and China-Burma-India theatres.
Variants
The CG-4A was the primary variant; the CG-15A was a refined successor. The CG-4 was designated Hadrian by the British.
Where you'll see it
Used by the USAAF and, in substantial numbers, by the British Army's Glider Pilot Regiment. UK use is genuine and extensive, making this directly relevant to British service history.
Related aircraft
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