title: Waco CG-3
text: # Waco CG-3
  
  The Waco CG-3A was a US light troop military glider of World War II.
  
  ## Design and development
  
  The CG-3A was the United States Army Air Force's first production troop-carrying glider. 300 CG-3A 9-place gliders were initially ordered, but 200 of these were cancelled. A few of the 100 built by Commonwealth Aircraft (formerly Rearwin Aircraft) were used as trainers for the improved CG-4A, but most remained in their shipping crates in storage. The production CG-3A was developed from the experimental XCG-3 which was the only one built by Waco and given Army Air Forces Serial No. 41-29617.
  
  ## Operational history
  
  The CG-3A became obsolete with the development of the much improved Waco designed CG-4A 15-place glider with its alternate load of military equipment. The CG-3A did not see any combat and several were used in limited training roles.
  
  ## Variants
  
  * XCG-3 : Prototype 8-seat glider. One built 1942.
  * CG-3A : Production 9-seat glider. 100 built by Commonwealth Aircraft.
  
  ## Specifications (CG-3A)
  
  Data from The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Crew: 2
  * Capacity: 7 troops
  * Length: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)
  * Wingspan: 73 ft 1 in (22.28 m)
  * Empty weight: 2,044 lb (927 kg)
  * Max takeoff weight: 4,400 lb (1,996 kg)
  
  Performance
  
  * Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn) (under tow)
  * Cruise speed: 100 mph (160 km/h, 87 kn)
  * Minimum control speed: 38 mph (61 km/h, 33 kn)
  