XPG-2A Glider
US
42-77062 or 45-14037 (see below)

No Freeman Photo

Waco PG-2A
Powered Glider


Courtesy of Charles Day, Author "Silent Ones, WWII Invasion Glider Test & Experiment, Clinton County Army Air Field, Wilmington, Ohio", writing 11/27/2005  Email Charles Day
Source Disposition
   
Freeman 05/09/46 Relocate to Chicago
Transfer Ltr
No Date		 Selected for assignment to Freeman Field for exhibit.
ATSC
06/06/1946		 Partial list - to be towed
   
Waco PG-2A Powered Glider

The Waco PG-2A was a unique powered development of the successful Waco CG-4 Hadrian standard glider. In 1943, the US military had originally developed a prototype powered-version of the Hadrian with two Franklin flat-four piston engines in nacelles beneath the wings. The object of this conversion was to allow the glider to return under its own power after completing a mission. After tests with this prototype, a further ten conversions of the aircraft were ordered with Ranger L-440-7 piston engines. These production versions were then known by the PG-2A designation. The service trials were apparently of interest to the RCAF and one PG-2A was briefly trialed here in Canada during the immediate post-war period.
Details

Designation:

Model No.: PG-2A

Mark:

Role: Powered Glider

TOS: 1946

SOS: 1947

Quantity in Service: 1

Service: RCAF

Specifications

Manufacturer: Waco Aircraft Company
Crew/Passengers: two pilots and up to 13 troops
Power Plant: two Ranger L-440-7 piston engines
Performance:  
Weights:  
Dimensions: Span: 83 ft 8 in ( 25.50 m) Length: 48 ft 4 in (14.73 m)
Height: 12 ft 7 in ( 3.84 m) Wing Area: 852 sq ft ( 79.15 sq m)
Armament: None
Cost: Unknown
Copyright © 2002, AEROWARE, a division of M&S Enterprises. All rights reserved.
http://www.rcaf.com/database/aircraft/pg2a.htm

Ridgefield PG-2, serial number 42-77062, a powered glider. The idea was to use the glider normally and after landing attach the engines and fly it home.

The photo labeled as XPG-2A  #42-77062 is actually PG-2A #45-14037, the 4th production article of a 10 article 1945 contract to Northwestern. There was one each XPG-1, XPG-2 and XPG-3, two XPG-2A and Ten PG-2A built. 

Courtesy of Charles Day, Author "Silent Ones, WWII Invasion Glider Test & Experiment, Clinton County Army Air Field, Wilmington, Ohio", writing 11/27/2005  Email Charles Day

This glider was a Ford production CG-4A delivered to the AAF as a CG-4A. It was not contracted as a PG.  The conversion to a PG was done by glider mechanic trainees under direction of Ernest LaSalle at Sheppard Field, Texas. 

LaSalle also added various instruments for flight testing and was allowed, under direction of CCAAF personnel, to pilot the glider from Texas to Ohio. This "PIG" was the second of two XPG-2A gliders. The first was an XPG-2 built by Ridgefield in New Jersey which was converted to an XPG-2A by installing 200 horsepower engines at CCAAF.  Both were used at CCAAF and remained there until the base closed in November 1945 in readying it for an All-Weather Flying base.  Courtesy of Charles Day, Author "Silent Ones, WWII Invasion Glider Test & Experiment, Clinton County Army Air Field, Wilmington, Ohio", writing 11/27/2005  Email Charles Day