Schweizer SGS 2-12 / TG-3A Training Glider

Specifications

TG-3A in Action

Background and History

When the US entered World War Two in December l941, none of the US forces had a glider training program. The successful use of glider-borne attack by German forces on the Belgian fortress of Eben-Emael and subsequent use during the invasion of Crete convinced the US military that there existed a need for glider-home forces of their own.

Airborne delivery of combat and support troops, equipment and material had, in the planners' minds, definite advantages over traditional military delivery systems used in the past. Designs for these new airborne capabilities in the form of general purpose utility glider(s) began taking shape on the designers' drawing hoards.

Training pilots for this undertaking took on an equally urgent priority as did procuring suitable training gliders and the development of training facilities. Initially, the USAAF contracted the Schweizer Aircraft Corporation, located in Elmira, New York to produce their existing SGS 2-8 2-place glider for the US Army under the designation TG-2 with additional aircraft to be produced for the US Navy and US Marine Corps under the designation LNS-1.

The SGS 2-8 was a good trainer, hut had fabric-covered aluminum wings. Aluminum was designated as a "strategic material" and its use was restricted in the production of training aircraft to conserve it for the manufacture of combat aircraft. The Schweizer Aircraft Corporation was therefore asked to design and produce a new glider that would not make use of aluminum.

Development

Work began on the new SGS 2-12 in the winter of 1941/42 as production of the SGS 2-8 was getting underway. The U.S. Army ordered three examples of a new Schweizer SGS 2-12 high performance two-seat sailplane in 1942, which was developed as a military training glider under the designation XTG-3 (42-14702/704). After evaluation, the type was ordered for use in the Army glider pilot training program, with contracts for 110 TG-3A (42-52924/998 and 42- 53097/53131). A single example of the TG-3A (42-91974) was also built by Air Glider, Inc., (and designated the TG3-B), but due to poor contract performance, the remaining order for 50< aircraft was canceled.

The SGS 2-12 had a wooden wing, replacing the aluminum wing on the SGS 2-8. Since the wing was being redesigned, several other improvements requested by the USAAF were incorporated into the new design, including design simplification to facilitate mass production. The new wing was 2 feet greater in span, giving it a slightly better glide ratio than the SGS 2-8. The greater span also helped make up for the additional weight of the aircraft. Typical empty weights were almost double that of the SGS 2-8 at 860 lbs (390 kg).

The wing also had a thicker section, with a thicker spar, which allowed the elimination of the struts that the SGS 2-8 used, while permitting a higher redline speed. The wing was also moved from a mid-wing position to a low wing, to improve the instructor's visibility from the rear cockpit. The new wing also incorporated balanced top and bottom surface dive brakes, replacing the SGS 2-8's top surface spoilers.

The SGS 2-12 received type certificate G-2-11 after the war was over, on February 27, 1947. All aircraft are officially certified as TG-3As, rather than SGS 2-12s.

Military History

The military history of this glider was brief. According to USAF records, this aircraft was manufactured by Schweizer Aircraft Corp., Elmira, New York and received on strength by the USAAF on 27 January, 1943. It was shipped by land to the AAF Western Flying Training Command, IHS"* Glider Training Squadron, located at Ft. Sumner AAF New Mexico. On 11 May, 1943 it was transferred to the Glider Replacement Training Pool, Roswell Army Flying School, (AAFWFTC), Roswell AAF, New Mexico. It remained there until September 1944, when it was shipped to Cimarron Field, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where it was disposed of as surplus property by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation on 15 September, 1944.

One hundred percent of all donations made utilizing the above "Donate" button will be designated for the acquisition and restoration materials of Schweizer TG-3A. It will be restored as a static display, preserving another small portion of military aviation history for future generations. Thank you for your generosity!