new Waco CG-4A glider to fly!

John Pappas of DreamFlight is building a Waco CG-4A glider to actually fly!  It’s scheduled to land at the 65th anniversary celebration of the Normandy invasion.  To my knowledge this will be the first cargo glider to fly overseas since 1948, and stateside since the 1952 shut down of the Wright Patterson Glider Branch. 

It will be safe and flyable; not necessarily a 100% authentic restoration.  Most parts are original.  They are currently in the process of gathering the parts list.  He has key major components like wing spars.  The floor will not be of the original honeycomb design but of modern materials and construction.  Windows will be of modern Plexiglas.  A skateboard manufacturer will build the skids.  There’s obviously as much structural verification as there is just getting ahold of the huge parts list.  Original tubes have been gathered --they need to be not only cleaned and carefully inspected for corrosion and damage, but also potentially repaired or replaced.  Assembly is taking place in Chino and Corona, California. 

First flight may be late 2008 or early 2009.  They are discussing with the USAF to transport it inside something like a C-17 over to England in time for the Normandy celebration.  Then Holland festivities.  Afterwards, at air shows stateside. 

They would like to perform the cargo glider snatch pickup.  But the key component has not been found:  an All American Aviation model 80, model 120, model 160 winch, or its modern equivalent.  Everyone that I’ve been in contact during my snatch pickup research has not seen one in decades. 

Pappas is experienced in restoration to flyable condition, and the maintenance of keeping historical aircraft flying.  The website for his DC-3 is below, which will be the tow plane.  He’s in contact with the WWII Glider Pilots Association, and is visiting the various restoration projects around the country including the Silent Wings Museum. 

This is a huge undertaking and there is no certainty that this can be done.  Any and all support is very much requested and appreciated:  financial, expertise, and volunteered time on parts searches, cleaning, etc, etc.  I’ve spoken to him twice, and hope to meet him in February when he’s in my area.  Please offer him your support. 

Contact information:  John Pappas
Phone                           949.472.9612
Email                            dreamflight@sprynet.com
Business website         http://www.thedc3rose.com Project website (under construction)          http://www.esharethis.com/detail.asp?CatID=95
Announcement letter                                  http://www.esharethis.com/content.asp?CatID=95&ContentID=2472

An email last week provided an update on the project’s progress.  Pappas will be traveling in February to meet with contributors and coordinate the parts.   Rather than his DC3 Rose as I had first guessed, they are working with owners of a C-47 to use that as the tow craft.   News organizations are already contacting them on the project.  There is plenty of excitment!
  Still looking for a snatch pickup winch to use.

No offense to your restoration efforts, but I'd rather go AWOL and spend time in the stockade than fly in one of those things. 
 
Pete

"I'd rather go AWOL and spend time in the stockade than fly in one of those things. "

That's OK Petey.  You won't have to make the ride.

Being there is room for only 13 riders, there are only 8 seats still available.  I know five who will volunteer to ride.
 

The "G" on those wings was certainly for "Guts."  My future cargo glider concepts should sortie without pilots or passengers.

Now in hindsight, the unit (squadron?) of the now-treasurer of the WWIIGPA, Tip Randolph, lost just two flight officers in four European invasions.  And this was on tow well before the Rhine, and thanks to incomplete maintenance.  Others did get injured of course.

By high-production airframe, I'd say the Flying Fortress collectively took the most abuse and still flew.  The Waco glider took even more abuse and still delivered thousands of times.  Maybe someday in my copious spare time I'll do their delivery success statistics.

Being there is room for only 13 riders, there are only 8 seats still available.

 
Besides courage, what does it take to get to go with? 
 
Hold Harmless form I am sure.
 
TonyM.

"Besides courage, what does it take to get to go with?"

TonyM,

I don't really know.  I told Pappas I would like to ride along and he would not say yes or no.   I imagine some big $$$ for the project
would help.

Charles Day

I'll continue to post updates on their rebuild effort as I stay in contact. 

The glider is starting to show tangible progress.  Pictures are at http://www.esharethis.com/content.asp?CatID=110&ContentID=4180

There are 2,450 items posted at their website.

They now are a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization, THE WW II ALLIED GLIDER CORPS COMMEMORATIVE FOUNDATION

They are in Europe for the 64th anniversary events and to make preparations for flying into next year's events.

I wish this project all the best. My big dream is to seat at the airworthy CG-4A controls but I am licensed to fly only by five types of sport gliders. The project is fantastic and I am sure that the Abn reenactors are very happy.

Best regards

Greg