WWII U.S. Army Glider Pilot Graduation – In-Flight Tow Photo, July 1942

An exceptional original 1942 U.S. Army Air Forces press photograph showing the view of a glider on tow. Taken on July 8, 1942, the image captures the glider with its towing cable and tow plane fusalage against a wide expanse of sky and land below, as seen from the photographer's aircraft.

The press caption notes that upon release over the main airfield, the young pilot—Sergeant Fritz—caught an updraft and soared to 11,000 feet. Two days later, he earned his wings as a fully qualified glider pilot. This image vividly illustrates the training environment for America’s wartime glider pilots, whose missions during WWII required skill and precision under combat conditions.

• Date: July 8, 1942

• Subject: WWII glider pilot training, in-flight tow view

• Photographer: U.S. Army Air Forces (official)

• Condition: Excellent for age, crisp detail, original press caption attached

• Historical Context: Part of the Glider Corps program that trained pilots for silent troop and cargo insertions in Europe and the Pacific