WACO Tow cable

[Gary Cain]

Never seen one of these before. I just bought the estate from a WWII glider pilot and this is one of the artifacts he kept. It's either from his first successful launch, or D-Day.

Not sure which one.

 

[Airframes]

Looks rather short, and possibly slightly new(ish) for a glider tow cable ?

 

[Gary Cain]

I'm not sure what the length is, to be honest. I think it is part of the cable, not the whole thing. I need to find the manual for them.

I have a huge mass of paperwork to go through. He also had two of the portholes. One of which was turned into a picture frame.

Never seen any of those either.

And definitely not newish. Been in his footlocker for 75ish years. It was at the bottom.

Everything above is absolutely period.

 

[mjfur]

Waco CG-4A Hadrian

The CG-4A was the most widely used U.S. troop/cargo glider of World War II. Constructed of fabric-covered wood and metal, the CG-4A was crewed by a pilot and copilot. It could carry 13 troops and

www.nationalmuseum.af.mil

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/73/e7/83/73e78390407000405c0b93480d10a13f.jpg

Photos lower right. NWWIIGPA-CG-4A War bonds

 

[Gary Cain]

Hey Mike thanks for the link. I found a picture that shows this on the tow plane side. I'm on my phone but as soon as I am at my computer I will post it.

 

[Denny G]

Never seen one of these before. I just bought the estate from a WWII glider pilot and this is one of the artifacts he kept. It's either from his first successful launch, or D-Day.

Not sure which one.

Could it be a weak link? Glider tow lines in modern days have a weak link attached or built in so that in case of accidental restraint, the tow rope will set the two planes apart. Or, maybe it is just a keep sake example?

 

[herman1rg]

Interesting find

 

[Gary Cain]

Could it be a weak link? Glider tow lines in modern days have a weak link attached or built in so that in case of accidental restraint, the tow rope will set the two planes apart. Or, maybe it is just a keep sake example?

I think you may be on to something. There is a picture online that shows one end of this attached to the tow plane. I believe you are correct that this is a breakaway in case of emergency.