Glider-borne Posted December 3, 2013 Hello everybody, During the 2013 commemoration of D-day in Normandie, I spoke with friends who rebuilt a glider Waco. http://www.ldr508pir82airbornevendee.fr.sitew.com/#le_WACO_cg_4A_.E I really enjoy the idea and therefore I would to do the same for the 70th celebration. This summer; I saw in Normandy a militaria shop who had to sale a middle frame of a glider Waco . So I done my holidays around Sainte-Mère Eglise ( to drive my cushman in hedges and found some fabrics of parachutes in the ground). And I came back with the glider frame. Probably not in the best condition of the world, but an original which flew into the european sky in 1940's. Not sure, but I have some information who show that he was probably discovered in Holland. So since september I spend my spare time to seek the missing parts on internet or in militaria flea markets. One of major help is The Glider and Military Museum in the Iron Mountain MI who helps me by selling a lots of surplus parts of their restoration project. http://www.exploringthenorth.com/gliders/display.html I redid a floor : And welded some parts: And found more parts : and drawn : And found more parts : And more : Since the beginning I started a facebook page who help me to collect documents, informations and contacts : https://www.facebook.com/Gliderborne And communicate with the most people possible to find missing parts and try to finish the frame as soon as possible, the best date would be the June 6th, 2014. So if you have some books, pictures or anything who will can help us for this project, I will be very glad and grateful if you can get in touch with us. At the end, the glider will be put in a museum, with conditions. (some European museums has encountered problems with missing parts...) ++ Mat Ps : English isn't my first language, sorry for missing words or wrong written phrases. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregory Posted December 3, 2013 During the 2013 commemoration of D-day in Normandie, I spoke with friends who rebuilt a glider Waco. http://www.ldr508pir82airbornevendee.fr.sitew.com/#le_WACO_cg_4A_.E Hi Mat, Will it be airworthy or static only? Regards Gregory Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doinworkinvans Posted December 3, 2013 ******JAW HITS THE FLOOR******* Actively collecting: 13th USAAF uniforms and groups/medal groups! 307th BG, 5th BG, 11th BG, 42nd BG Also looking for: WWII Far East Air Force uniforms/groups! Any Pacific Army Air Force Groups to 5th, 7th, 10th, 14th, 20th AAF Collecting CBI and ATC Pacific Army Air Force groups USMF's custom photo resize tool:http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/229816-custom-resize-tool-exclusively-for-the-usmf/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cutiger83 Posted December 3, 2013 Ps : English isn't my first language, sorry for missing words or wrong written phrases. Looks great! Thanks for posting your progress. And you speak English better than some Americans! ...Kat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sabrejet Posted December 3, 2013 Wow! That's a helluva undertaking...I congratulate you on the progress you've evidently made so far...and good luck with the rest! "We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender!" Winston Churchill " Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans." John Winston Lennon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glider-borne Posted December 3, 2013 Thanks Kat and Sabrejet ;-) Doinworkinvans, 'hope you no be hurted ^^ Now I know a new slang expression. Gregory, Static only, we have the most stu... punctilious administration in this world. They never give a flight authorization to a coffin with wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fstop61 Posted December 3, 2013 Heck of a project-so far so good! Please keep us updated on the progress Looking for: Fourth/ Seventh Rhode Island Infantry items Purple Heart : Robert L. Freitag KIA ETO 2/11/45 Any US/German items with the last name "Freitag" also, war-related posters Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sabrejet Posted December 3, 2013 Gregory is going to love this....big time! "We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender!" Winston Churchill " Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans." John Winston Lennon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregory Posted December 3, 2013 Gregory, Static only, we have the most stu... punctilious administration in this world. They never give a flight authorization to a coffin with wings. I guess both we are under EASA jurisdiction,... yes the EASA is not FAA. I can imagine € millions to certify both CG-4A and: tow rope, release mechanism, hook and the tug of course. Gregory is going to love this....big time! I piloted in my life so old wooden motorless flying coffins that... my HS-33 + T-30 are waiting to use them in proper place... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregory Posted December 3, 2013 I wish you Matt the greatest possible success with your project but... in the case of parts shortage remember that you may build the CG-4A Motor Boat and it will be historically correct as well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glider-borne Posted December 3, 2013 What type of engine was used ? I really like the picture, I saw another when I searched some pics of gliders. I don't remember, this isn't made in Asian war theatre ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregory Posted December 4, 2013 Yes, the CG-4A Airboat is super-duper! The image posted was taken in the CBI. I do not know unfortunately what engine is a powerplant for this propeller-driven cruiser. It may be everything including captured Japanese. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doinworkinvans Posted December 4, 2013 Glad I could teach someone something I think what you're doing is absolutely incredible and I applaud your efforts and I am cheering you on! Actively collecting: 13th USAAF uniforms and groups/medal groups! 307th BG, 5th BG, 11th BG, 42nd BG Also looking for: WWII Far East Air Force uniforms/groups! Any Pacific Army Air Force Groups to 5th, 7th, 10th, 14th, 20th AAF Collecting CBI and ATC Pacific Army Air Force groups USMF's custom photo resize tool:http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/229816-custom-resize-tool-exclusively-for-the-usmf/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glider-borne Posted December 11, 2013 Hi all,I just make an exchange for the rear frame, metal structure is now complete at 2/3.Rear frame come from Le Muy/Operation Dragoon, Cargo frame from Holland/Market Garden and wheel from Normandie/Neptune. Happy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregory Posted December 11, 2013 ... and wheel from Normandie/Neptune. Just in case -- in fact CG-4A main wheels were taken from T-6 and P-51 so you may use wide range of wheels, also from both planes mentioned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BEAST Posted December 11, 2013 Incredible work! Please keep us informed as you progress. " We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. " View my website honoring the men and women of Indiana: http://indianavets.wix.com/indiana-at-war and follow my updates on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/IndianaModernAgeofWar/ Interested in US uniforms? Join the Association of American Military Uniform Collectors! http://aamuc.org/or find us on Facebook! facebook.com/AAMUC.ORG Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregory Posted December 11, 2013 Mat, And what about tail wheel? Do you have it? It was designed specifically for the CG-4A by Scott Aviation Corporation -- a very good company specializing in tail wheels for American aviation. The CG-4A tail wheel was full-swivel type based on standard Scott's tail wheels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doinworkinvans Posted December 11, 2013 Motivation.... Being lined up for tow : ) Actively collecting: 13th USAAF uniforms and groups/medal groups! 307th BG, 5th BG, 11th BG, 42nd BG Also looking for: WWII Far East Air Force uniforms/groups! Any Pacific Army Air Force Groups to 5th, 7th, 10th, 14th, 20th AAF Collecting CBI and ATC Pacific Army Air Force groups USMF's custom photo resize tool:http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/229816-custom-resize-tool-exclusively-for-the-usmf/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glider-borne Posted December 14, 2013 Just in case -- in fact CG-4A main wheels were taken from T-6 and P-51 so you may use wide range of wheels, also from both planes mentioned. Yes and the Stearman have the same wheels, like in this ebay ad : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stearman-Hayes-Brakes-and-wheel-assembly-/290805166020?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b556afc4 I haven't the tail wheel, but a member in this forum has found some glider parts, with four tail wheels : You had posted in another forum the picture below, is-it from a technical manual ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glider-borne Posted December 14, 2013 I like the picture, more information about it? Motivation.... Being lined up for tow : ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregory Posted December 14, 2013 You had posted in another forum the picture below, is-it from a technical manual ? It is from the Scott Aviation Corporation's wartime press advert where they announced that they designed that wheel for the CG-4A. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregory Posted December 14, 2013 Mat, What painting scheme do you plan for your restored CG-4A? OD? Light grey? What gliderborne operation this glider will represent? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glider-borne Posted December 15, 2013 That a killer question. The best would be, if a veteran who flew in a Waco during the war can support us, I will put the glider in the same appearance, name and serial number. But I do not know anyone who can do that. The mainly operation would be the Normandy D-Day. Better it a painting scheme who can be the most common for reused easily. So if you have any pictures/ideas, I'm happy to see them. For the moment I haven't spent time to found these infos. Ps : hard to translate correctly "support", not a financial way but just morally. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregory Posted December 15, 2013 All people or institutions that have restored CG-4As did it in the OD painting scheme. There is a question -- do WWII era airborne-interested fans of history need yet another OD CG-4A? I would answer -- No. Therefore I would paint your glider in light grey painting scheme because such CG-4As were also used in the ETO and they had invasion stripes as well. For example, CG-4A, sn 43-41808, was light grey and had invasion stripes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glider-borne Posted December 15, 2013 I like the idea, have you a picture of this waco ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
