Development and Design
The CG-13A glider was developed in 1942, building upon the established design of the CG-4 assault glider, which was already in serial production. A critical requirement for the new glider was the ability to transport 42 personnel or an equivalent heavy cargo load. This included vehicles such as a jeep equipped with a 105mm M2 gun or a 1.5-ton truck.
Meeting these demanding specifications necessitated significant structural changes and design modifications compared to its predecessor.
Prototype and Production
The prototype of the CG-13A glider successfully completed its first flight in March 1943. Following this, an order for the initial production batch of the CG-13A was placed in the same year. By 1945, a total of 132 units were assembled and delivered.
The manufacturing process involved the collaboration and assistance of several companies, notably Ford and Northwestern.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | CG-13A |
| Wingspan, m | 26.21 |
| Length, m | 16.46 |
| Height, m | 6.07 |
| Wing area, m2 | 81.10 |
| Empty weight | 3946 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 8573 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 315 |
| Crew, crew members | 2 |
| Payload | 40-42 paratroopers or 3000 kg of cargo |
Image gallery of the CG-13A Glider
