1942 USAAF Waco CG-4A Troop Glider – Original WWII Press Photo Set with Boarding Scene & Flight View

This original September 4, 1942 WWII press photo set documents the U.S. Army Air Forces Waco CG-4A—America’s primary troop-carrying glider of World War II.

The upper image shows the CG-4A in flight, proudly bearing U.S. military insignia, while the lower image depicts troops boarding the glider, fully illustrating its role in tactical airborne operations.

Accompanying the photos is the original press caption, detailing the glider’s design, purpose, and its planned role in future airborne assaults against Axis forces. Built by leading U.S. aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Beech, and Cessna, the CG-4A was capable of:

• Carrying 15 fully equipped soldiers plus two pilots

• Landing in small fields and pastures behind enemy lines

• Delivering vehicles, equipment, and troops directly to the battlefield without requiring runways

The caption positions the CG-4A as a key airborne invasion weapon, anticipating its later use in critical WWII operations such as the Normandy landings, Operation Market Garden, and the Rhine crossings.

Historical Significance:

• The Waco CG-4A became one of the most important U.S. gliders of WWII, enabling silent troop insertions deep in enemy territory.

• This photo set predates the glider’s large-scale operational use, making it an important early wartime press release.

• Rare to find as an intact paired image and caption set, especially in such clear, well-preserved condition.

Key Features:

• Date: September 4, 1942

• Aircraft: Waco CG-4A troop-carrying glider

• Photographer/Agency: U.S. Army Air Forces / wartime press release

• Views:

  1. CG-4A in flight with U.S. insignia

  2. Soldiers boarding the glider on the ground

• Caption: Original typed press release included on reverse or attached sheet

• Condition: Excellent contrast and clarity; light edge handling wear consistent with press archives