1942 Taylorcraft L-2M (converted TG-6 Military Glider)
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A Rare Gem
This beautiful aircraft is a rare and restored converted military TG-6 glider. It is in 'like new' condition inside and out. A Cleaveland wheel and brake kit has been installed and it is freshly painted with military markings; fresh annual. |
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Features
Continental A-75; Icom transceiver with Softcom headsets and intercom; all logbooks; registration N54469 and S/N 6196; originally configured as a TG-6 glider owned by U.S. Army during WWII; 3214 TT and 986 SMOH; flies like an angel. |
The Taylorcraft model number designation for this aircraft as a glider was ST-100. The ST stood for Stanton-Taylorcraft. This was in recognition of the help Charlie Stanton and the CAA engineers had provided. The U.S. Army ordered 250 of them (AAF S/N 42-58561 through 58810) with the designation TG-6 (training glider 6). My aircraft's (N54469) military S/N was 42-58757; it was the 197th glider of 250 that Taylorcraft built.
Pilots during WWII received a 6 month training program beginning with military training, glider repair & maintenance. The 4th month was spent flying powered lightplanes such as Taylorcraft Tandems, J-3 Cubs, & Aeronca Defenders. The 5th month was spent learning to fly gliders in TG-5's, 6's or 8's. The final month was spent at an advanced glider training school becoming proficient in the tactical uses of gliders. This was flown in the Waco CG-3A glider, where student pilots got the feel of a heavy troop glider. Upon completion of advanced training, the silver glider pilot's wings were awarded.
WWII was the only war in which gliders were used in combat. After WWII, the TG's were sold as surplus. Very few of the TG-5's, 6's or 8's survive today. The only use of training gliders outside of the continental U.S. was by the 1st Air Commando Group who used 25 TG-5's in India to train glider pilots for the air invasion of Burma.
