Unknown Part - WWII Glider? - Please help identify

Quest Master · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:42 pm **Posts:** 387

I have this aluminum and steel intricate aircraft part that has a very similar release mechanism to the WWII CG-4A Glider. Any idea what it goes to? If I can't identify it...I'm gonna scrap it. It is about 3' tall.

What do you think:

shrike · **Posted:** Sun Oct 13, 2013 1:04 pm

I'll gladly give you scrap value for it. PM me.

There were a number of variation on the tow release set up experimented with during glider development. Some more successful than others, and some of the successful ones didn't make it into service simply because the gliders were already in the pipeline, and changes would have complicated things too much.

Quest Master · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:42 pm **Posts:** 387

Shrike,
But....do you know what it goes to? I have a CG-4A and CG-15A cockpit...and the release lever/lock is similar.

Forgotten Field · **Posted:** Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:13 pm

It is similar to the tow pieces I have for the WWII tow aircraft, but doesn't look like what I have seen. It could also be part of the equipment used to modify the CG-4A's to center-line tow instead of the top cockpit tow they were designed for. Another option is that it was a test rig made to picking up aircraft and towing them to theater. Are there any parts numbers on the pieces?

shrike · **Posted:** Sun Oct 13, 2013 9:32 pm

My first thought was that it looked a little like the Griswold nose modification, but obviously too small and delicate.
I'm leaning towards a tow plane rig for something that is not, in any way shape or form, a C-47. Could be C-60, could be a 'universal' release for whatever, or could even be an auto-tow rig (really unlikely) or test or training rig.

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Mon Oct 14, 2013 4:56 am

Or B-23? Wasn't one of them used as a tug at Wright-Patterson?

gliderman1 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:56 am

Van,

Don't even think about scrapping that piece!

It definitely is not part of the bolt-on Griswold nose protection device.
Unless it was contrived in 1946-47 it is not part of a CG-4A or CG-15A.
How about the CG-14, CG-14A, CG-10, CG-10A?
If not those, then it was for a tug.
Aside from the part number on the release, are there part numbers on the legs or the base to which the release is bolted?

Hang on for few days. I will send the images to the man who was in charge of tow releases at Wright Field to see if he remembers it.

Quest Master · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:42 pm **Posts:** 387

You drop the word "scrap"....and ya get everyone's attention!

I don't see any part numbers. A couple of mfg inspection stamps....but nothing that looks blatantly familiar.

I already considered the Griswold nose protection device and CG-4A or CG-15A as I have 3 of those cockpits in my collection and it does not match. Similar...but not match, especially with these legs. I looked into the CG-14, CG-14A, CG-10, CG-10A....and nothing seemed to match.

I did consider a tug device, but nothing matches as of yet.

If anyone has anything....let me know. It won't come inside unless I know what it is.

Quest Master · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:42 pm **Posts:** 387

Well....I have my answer! This is the bracket assy that is on the inside of the tail of the C-47 when being used as a Glider Tug!!!
Here is a WIX thread that discusses it's mounting:
http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.o ... 4&start=30
I guess it will come inside now!

Fouga23 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 16, 2013 3:13 am

I bet several museum D-day vet C-47's would love to have that installed!

Quest Master · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:42 pm **Posts:** 387

Fouga23 wrote:

I bet several museum D-day vet C-47's would love to have that installed!

Since I have a Normandy Vet C-47 Nose and Tail....plus the CG-4A to go behind it....I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep it now.

Thanks for the help WIX!

gliderman1 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:50 am

Amazes me how much I have forgotten in the past almost two years.......
The Silent Wings Museum at Lubbock would be a good candidate for this tug assembly.

Van, when you find the complete model 80 winch system, a complete SCR-585, and a complete D-1 automatic pilot please let me know!!

Quest Master · **Joined:** Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:42 pm **Posts:** 387

gliderman1 wrote:

Amazes me how much I have forgotten in the past almost two years.......
The Silent Wings Museum at Lubbock would be a good candidate for this tug assembly.

Van, when you find the complete model 80 winch system, a complete SCR-585, and a complete D-1 automatic pilot please let me know!!

Charles,
I'll look around the back yard...maybe I've already got them.

Just kidding...pretty sure I don't. But....I may in the future. :drink3:

Thanks again for all of the help. I'll keep on piling up all of this glider stuff!

gliderman1 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 18, 2013 7:42 pm

Van,
When you do get them, I will drive out to visit just so I can touch them!

Just got word that Capt J.B. Rishel (Wright Field circa 1942 to 1947) died the end of August. He was 93, a graduate of University of Nebraska, life long admirer of the Big Ten Conference who as a kid wished Nebraska would join the B1G, a wish that came true finally and nearly on his 90th birthday. He was in charge of tow releases and did XCG-18 (C-122) and XCG-20 (C-123) feasibility studies, as well as many production glider acceptance inspections and lots of other glider stuff at Wright Field. He possibly may have been involved in designing your 4 leg bottle rocket launching stand......

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